Ryan's Picks:
Pick #1 St. Pauli Win or Draw
I was surprised to see that St. Pauli had the win or draw option. I believe that St. Pauli has a good chance to defeat Paderborn straight up, let alone draw with them. St Pauli is currently ranked third in the table (35 pts 16+ goal differential) while Paderborn is in fifth place (32 pts 11+ goal differential). St. Pauli is a strong roadside having earned points in 6 of 7 road games thus far. I would go with St. Pauli win or draw for the green.
Pick #2 Stanford Cardinal
The Stanford Cardinal are the favorite to win the Women's soccer College Cup. The Cardinal have lost in the College Cup for the last three years. They are the more talented and experienced team. One note of caution, Florida State plays in the ACC which is the best conference in the nation. Other thanStanford, the other three teams in the final four are from the ACC. As a result, Stanford playing in the Pac 12 had a goal differential of +60 while Florida State had a goal differential of +26 in the ACC. like the Cardinal for the Green.
Pick # 3 Syracuse Orange
I like the Syracuse Orange to defeat the Florida Gators, at home. The Orange must find a way to deal with the distraction of the firing of their assistant coach Bernie Fine. Meanwhile, Florida had an impressive showing earlier this year in their only loss to #1 ranked Ohio St. The only area I see Florida having a major advantage in this game is rebounding. I expect the Orange to focus on this and take advantage of Florida's bad defense. Look for the Orange to use the crowd to their advantage, and win a close game.
Christian's Picks
1. St. Pauli: Win or Draw
I'd like to start out by saying that St. Pauli is actually favored to win this game straight up which makes me raise an eyebrow as to why they also have the draw option.... Paderborn is only 36% to win according to the odds. St. Pauli and Paderborn are 3rd and 5th respectively with a +16 GD and a +11 GD. There are no recent games which can be compared to this matchup that are relevant so I am simply going off of the feeling that there's a reason why St. Pauli is favored away from home. I see a boring, low-scoring draw. I would be shocked if Paderborn wins this..... This will end either 0-0 or 1-1.
2. AC Milan: Win
This is a tough one to call, it really is. However, I feel confidently that Genoa just can not pull this one off. AC Milan has the best offense in Serie A undoubtedly and I definitely see Ibrahimovic scoring one here. Dude's a beast. Just to express how potent their offense is, Milan has scored at least once in their last 10 of 12 matches. With Milan's goaltender, Abbiati, who has been pretty nice as of recently, I can definitely see them blanking Genoa 1-0. The teams are pretty even but with Milan slightly favored on the road, I like them to squeak out a win here.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
December 1st Picks
Ryan's Picks
Pick #1 South Carolina Gamecocks.
The South Carolina Gamecocks should defeat the Providence Friars in the Big East/ SEC Challenge. The Gamecocks are 2-4 while the Friars are 5-2. Consequently, at this time, 95% of streak for the cash players are picking the Friars. This is a classic trap game set up by ESPN and the streak for the cash team. The reason the Friars have a better record than the Gamecocks is because they have played a much easier schedule. Providence does not play much defense and they will be exploited versus the Gamecocks. The Friars also do not have any depth, as they had four players play the entire game in their previous game versus Holy Cross. Go with the Gamecocks for the Green
Christian's Picks
1. @ Twente Enschede: Win
Twente is a nice little club from the Netherlands Eredivisie currently in 3rd with a +20 GD and Fulham is one of the most disappointing teams from the EPL this year (15th place, -1 GD). Fulham's Clint Dempsey (one of the EPL's rising stars of last year) is having an awful year and expect for him to continue this slump. Twente has done nicely in their last 4 relevant UEFA matches, 3-1-0 including a 4-1 home win against Polish team Wisla Krakow and two straight wins against Danish league's Odense BK. Twente is nice at home while Fulham is in fact, very bad away. This match is set up for a Twente win at home (They drew 1-1 in Fulham). Pick the Dutch for a win!
2. @ DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul is perfectly set up here for an underdog win against Ole Miss. DePaul is an underrated team who has come off some nice wins against Arizona State and Texas Tech. They also lost by one point to a pretty decent Minnesota squad. DePaul is very nice at home and this will be Ole Miss's first true away game and they are not yet used to that feel of "away-ness". Ole Miss's only capable opponent was at home against Marquette where they got slaughtered by 30 points. DePaul will win in a relatively close one.
Pick #1 South Carolina Gamecocks.
The South Carolina Gamecocks should defeat the Providence Friars in the Big East/ SEC Challenge. The Gamecocks are 2-4 while the Friars are 5-2. Consequently, at this time, 95% of streak for the cash players are picking the Friars. This is a classic trap game set up by ESPN and the streak for the cash team. The reason the Friars have a better record than the Gamecocks is because they have played a much easier schedule. Providence does not play much defense and they will be exploited versus the Gamecocks. The Friars also do not have any depth, as they had four players play the entire game in their previous game versus Holy Cross. Go with the Gamecocks for the Green
Christian's Picks
1. @ Twente Enschede: Win
Twente is a nice little club from the Netherlands Eredivisie currently in 3rd with a +20 GD and Fulham is one of the most disappointing teams from the EPL this year (15th place, -1 GD). Fulham's Clint Dempsey (one of the EPL's rising stars of last year) is having an awful year and expect for him to continue this slump. Twente has done nicely in their last 4 relevant UEFA matches, 3-1-0 including a 4-1 home win against Polish team Wisla Krakow and two straight wins against Danish league's Odense BK. Twente is nice at home while Fulham is in fact, very bad away. This match is set up for a Twente win at home (They drew 1-1 in Fulham). Pick the Dutch for a win!
2. @ DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul is perfectly set up here for an underdog win against Ole Miss. DePaul is an underrated team who has come off some nice wins against Arizona State and Texas Tech. They also lost by one point to a pretty decent Minnesota squad. DePaul is very nice at home and this will be Ole Miss's first true away game and they are not yet used to that feel of "away-ness". Ole Miss's only capable opponent was at home against Marquette where they got slaughtered by 30 points. DePaul will win in a relatively close one.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
November 30th Picks
Ryan's Picks
Christian's Picks
1. @ Braga: Win
Sporting Braga is currently 5th in the Portuguese Primeira Liga sitting behind powerhouses like FC Porto, Benfica, and Lisbon. They have been in rather decent form recently with a 2-2-1 record in the UEFA Europa League. They are currently at 62.5% to win and to offer some perspective, they are behind highly talented Portuguese teams who can challenge any club in the world.... However, Birmingham City is an 11th ranked Division 2 English club who is average at best. Just a very telling stat which I find pertinent to this pick is that back in September, Braga beat Birmingham City 3-1 away from home. This time, it's in Braga so I can only see them winning by a couple of goals. Braga wins 2-0.
Pick #1 Penn State Nittany Lions
I like the Penn State Nittany Lions to defeat the Boston College Eagles, in the Big Ten/ACC challenge. As I predicted yesterday, the big ten teams got the better of the ACC teams, and are generally more talented. Penn St. is 5-2 on the season, including a loss to the #1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The Boston College Eagles have started the season slowly at 2-4 and have struggled on offense. The Eagles have only two wins and the victories were over weak teams New Hampshire, and UC Riverside. Penn State rates ahead of Boston College in points, rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage. Pick the Penn State Nittany Lions for the green.
Pick #2 Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans will beat the Florida State Seminoles, in East Lansing. Michigan State(4-2) is a talented team, whose two losses are to UNC and Duke. Florida State who is (5-2) is coming off back to back losses to Harvard and Uconn. Florida State is not as talented as other teams Michigan State will play, but they are certainly physically gifted in size. Florida State is a very big team, that has a top defense every year. Florida State ranks 4th in defensive efficiency, while Michigan State ranks 6th in defensive efficiency. While the teams are similar on defense, I believe Michigan State has an advantage on offense. Michigan State is a better shooting team, and should be able to win a low scoring affair. Look for Draymond Green and the Michigan State faithful to lift the Spartans to a victory over the Seminoles.
I like the Penn State Nittany Lions to defeat the Boston College Eagles, in the Big Ten/ACC challenge. As I predicted yesterday, the big ten teams got the better of the ACC teams, and are generally more talented. Penn St. is 5-2 on the season, including a loss to the #1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats. The Boston College Eagles have started the season slowly at 2-4 and have struggled on offense. The Eagles have only two wins and the victories were over weak teams New Hampshire, and UC Riverside. Penn State rates ahead of Boston College in points, rebounds, assists, and field goal percentage. Pick the Penn State Nittany Lions for the green.
Pick #2 Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans will beat the Florida State Seminoles, in East Lansing. Michigan State(4-2) is a talented team, whose two losses are to UNC and Duke. Florida State who is (5-2) is coming off back to back losses to Harvard and Uconn. Florida State is not as talented as other teams Michigan State will play, but they are certainly physically gifted in size. Florida State is a very big team, that has a top defense every year. Florida State ranks 4th in defensive efficiency, while Michigan State ranks 6th in defensive efficiency. While the teams are similar on defense, I believe Michigan State has an advantage on offense. Michigan State is a better shooting team, and should be able to win a low scoring affair. Look for Draymond Green and the Michigan State faithful to lift the Spartans to a victory over the Seminoles.
Christian's Picks
1. @ Braga: Win
Sporting Braga is currently 5th in the Portuguese Primeira Liga sitting behind powerhouses like FC Porto, Benfica, and Lisbon. They have been in rather decent form recently with a 2-2-1 record in the UEFA Europa League. They are currently at 62.5% to win and to offer some perspective, they are behind highly talented Portuguese teams who can challenge any club in the world.... However, Birmingham City is an 11th ranked Division 2 English club who is average at best. Just a very telling stat which I find pertinent to this pick is that back in September, Braga beat Birmingham City 3-1 away from home. This time, it's in Braga so I can only see them winning by a couple of goals. Braga wins 2-0.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
November 29th Picks
Ryan's Picks
Pick #1 Illinois Fighting Illini
I like the Illinois Fighting Illini to beat the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland. The Illini who are 6-0, defeated Maryland (3-2) last year in their head to head match up. Maryland was predicted in the preseason polls to finish 11th in the ACC. Illinois has the stronger defense as they rank 11th in the country in defensive efficiency, and that will carry them to the victory. Furthermore, Maryland does not have an answer on the interior for the Illini's 7'1 sophomore Meyers Leonard. Maryland does not have any quality wins, and have lost their only two games versus quality opponents (Iona and Alabama). Look for Illinois (who plays similar style as Alabama) to take care of Maryland.
Pick # 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
The number two ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the number three ranked Duke Blue Devils in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State has too much talent, and will feed off their boisterous home crowd at Value City Arena, (where they have won 28 straight games) and defeat Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils. Sophomore, Jared Sullinger is going to be too much on the inside for Mason and Miles Plumlee and the rest of the Blue Devils. In addition, Aaron Craft who is one of the best defensive guards in the country, should be able to slow down Austin Rivers and Seth Curry. Give me the Buckeyes for the Green.
Pick #3 Big Ten
I like the Big Ten to win more games than the ACC in the first day of the Big Ten/Acc challenge. I think that the Big Ten will win at least four of the six games that are being played. I think Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan all have good chances of winning. The most talented team in the ACC, The North Carolina Tar Heels are not playing on Tuesday. Without the ACC's top team in action, the Big Ten is clearly the superior conference.
I like the Illinois Fighting Illini to beat the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland. The Illini who are 6-0, defeated Maryland (3-2) last year in their head to head match up. Maryland was predicted in the preseason polls to finish 11th in the ACC. Illinois has the stronger defense as they rank 11th in the country in defensive efficiency, and that will carry them to the victory. Furthermore, Maryland does not have an answer on the interior for the Illini's 7'1 sophomore Meyers Leonard. Maryland does not have any quality wins, and have lost their only two games versus quality opponents (Iona and Alabama). Look for Illinois (who plays similar style as Alabama) to take care of Maryland.
Pick # 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
The number two ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the number three ranked Duke Blue Devils in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State has too much talent, and will feed off their boisterous home crowd at Value City Arena, (where they have won 28 straight games) and defeat Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils. Sophomore, Jared Sullinger is going to be too much on the inside for Mason and Miles Plumlee and the rest of the Blue Devils. In addition, Aaron Craft who is one of the best defensive guards in the country, should be able to slow down Austin Rivers and Seth Curry. Give me the Buckeyes for the Green.
Pick #3 Big Ten
I like the Big Ten to win more games than the ACC in the first day of the Big Ten/Acc challenge. I think that the Big Ten will win at least four of the six games that are being played. I think Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan all have good chances of winning. The most talented team in the ACC, The North Carolina Tar Heels are not playing on Tuesday. Without the ACC's top team in action, the Big Ten is clearly the superior conference.
Christian's Picks
1. Barcelona Wins by 3+ Goals
This year, like every year, Barcelona has been pretty beastly. However, their last game was an away loss to 13th ranked Getafe and as history shows, when Barca loses, they play their next game pissed! This will absolutely be the case when they play newly promoted club Rayo Vallecano at home in Camp Nou. Rayo is an inexperienced club with their only true test this year coming in the form of an away loss to Real Madrid 6-2. Based on these general figures and seeing as how Barca is a little worse, if not even, as Real Madrid, I can see this being a complete blowout. As we all know, Barca does not hold back ever and I see them winning by at least 4 goals. If you're a Barca fan, enjoy yourself during this one.
Monday, November 28, 2011
November 28th Picks
Christian's Picks
1. @ Málaga: Win
Málaga has been in tip-top shape at home as of recently with a 4-1-0 record with their only loss coming to Real Madrid which is excusable. Excluding the Real Madrid game, Málaga has outscored their opponent by 7 in those last 5 games. They are favored to win at 55.5% and they are the underdog according to Streak picker's picks which is always a recipe for a correct pick it seems. This would be a tough one except that Villareal cannot score on the road seeing as how they have scored 1 goal in their last 5 Primera Division games. Also, they will be without injured "scorers", if you can call them that, making it even more difficult to score. Málaga wins this one 2-0.
1. @ Málaga: Win
Málaga has been in tip-top shape at home as of recently with a 4-1-0 record with their only loss coming to Real Madrid which is excusable. Excluding the Real Madrid game, Málaga has outscored their opponent by 7 in those last 5 games. They are favored to win at 55.5% and they are the underdog according to Streak picker's picks which is always a recipe for a correct pick it seems. This would be a tough one except that Villareal cannot score on the road seeing as how they have scored 1 goal in their last 5 Primera Division games. Also, they will be without injured "scorers", if you can call them that, making it even more difficult to score. Málaga wins this one 2-0.
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