Sweden needs a little luck to get past North Korea

Soccer Betting Lines

09/17/2007 - Tiajin, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden's hoping to change its luck against North Korea on Tuesday.

The third-ranked Swedes settled for a 1-1 tie in their World Cup opener on a late equalizer by Nigeria, then lost to the United States 2-0.

To avoid failing to make the quarterfinals for the first time in its history, Sweden has to beat North Korea by at least three goals.

"Luck's not been on our side and we've only got one point in the bag. But we'll do everything in our power to get back on track and try and win our third group match," Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby told FIFA's website.

A change in luck may help the Swedes, who have struggled finishing scoring chances despite numerous opportunities in both games, but it's going to take more than that against North Korea.

North Korea, ranked fifth, tied the United States in its opener 2-2 and then posted a 2-0 win over Nigeria. North Korea is tied with the United States for first place in Group B, and needs a tie or win to secure a spot in the next round.

"Our next game against Sweden will be very tough, but we're ready to take them on," North Korea coach Kim Kwang Min told FIFA's website. "We haven't sealed qualification yet so we're obliged to play to win, there's no other way."

Sweden has no other option, either. But if it's going to advance, Victoria Svensson, Hanna Ljungberg and Lotta Schelin have to start scoring.

The trio are three of the best scorers in the tournament, with Svensson and Ljungberg more experienced on the international level.

Ljungberg has 71 career goals and Svensson - who scored the team's lone goal in a tie with Nigeria - has 59.

With the way Sweden's struggled offensively in its first two games, the large winning margin seems unlikely. But the Swedes displayed just how dangerous the offense can be in European qualifying, scoring 32 goals in eight games - an average of four per contest.

Ljungberg had 10 goals in qualifying, Schelin had six and Svensson and Therese Lundin, a midfielder, each had four.

As bad as Sweden's played in its first two games, it would still be a threat to win the tournament if it can advance.

"If we can do that," Dennerby said, "then anything is possible."

North Korea won't make it easy on the 2003 runners-up, though. The Asian team looked better than the Americans for long stretches, and had no real trouble with Nigeria.

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

Bet on NFL Football

Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

NFL football gambling

To visit this internet sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.