Bordeaux maintains edge over Montpellier

Soccer Betting Lines

03/07/2010 - Bordeaux, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alberto Costa scored in stoppage time, but Montpellier wasted a chance to take over the lead in France's Ligue 1, because Bordeaux goalie Cedric Carrasso saved two penalties in a 1-1 tie Sunday at the Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas.

Bordeaux, which played the final 58 minutes with 10 men, was saved by Carrasso and his two first-half penalty stops. He denied Costa in the 33rd, and Victor Montano in the 42nd.

Marouane Chamakh fired Bordeaux, which has played two fewer matches, into the lead in the 59th but Montpellier escaped with a point when Costa converted off a free kick in the final seconds.

Bordeaux leads the league on goal differential. Lyon is just two points behind in third.

Michael Ciani conceded the first penalty kick for a foul that earned him a red card, but Costa's left-footed attempt was saved in the middle by Carrasso.

Matthieu Chalme handed Montpellier another chance before halftime when he was called for a handball, but Montano's effort was saved at the bottom right.

Chamakh scored off a right-footed shot in the 59th to the bottom left, and the hosts were in position to earn all three points despite being short-handed.

Montpellier, which was just promoted to Ligue 1 this season, managed to escape with a point when Costa curled a left-footed shot into the lower-right corner.

Mamadou Niang scored his Ligue 1-high 15th goal but Marseille tied Lorient 1-1 at the Stade Velodrome. Marseille is fourth, just one point behind third-place Lyon, and three behind Bordeaux and Montpellier. Lorient is ninth.

Modibo Maiga scored five minutes into the second half and Le Mans earned a 1-1 tie at Grenoble in a battle of bottom-three clubs. Le Mans is five points away from safety, while Grenoble is 12 points away from safety in last place.

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Academy Award Betting Odds for Best Picture Offer Great Value

If there is any category that is not an obvious win for any one nominee in this year's Academy Awards, it would be for Best Picture.  Sure the Departed is a 5/7 favorite, but that's hardly anything when we look at Helen Mirren and her "out-of-reach" 1 to 40 odds (which means you would win a whopping $1 for every $40 bet).

For value, take a look at MySportsbook.com Oscars betting odds on my personal favorite, The Queen - a remarkable 12 to 1 long shot.  The film hasn't won any pre-awards for Best Picture (compared to The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine), but there is a tremendous following and it is a strong enough film to warrant a surprise win.

TV Guide advises Oscar watchers should be cautioned not to discount the  drama "Babel" with its strong social themes about overcoming communication gaps among people of different cultures.

"While 'Babel' lost several guild awards to 'Sunshine' and 'Departed,'  it still enjoys loyal support, and historically Oscar voters favor dramas with social messages over comedies like 'Sunshine' and violent crime movies like 'Departed'."

"It hasn't done well in the guilds, which means there isn't much industry support," said Tom O'Neil of awards site TheEnvelope.com, "But several critics are expecting it to win, and that gets my attention." Babel had 7 to 2 odds at press time.

Who is to say independently produced Little Miss Sunshine won't be this year's Crash.  Last year, Crash won for Best Motion Picture, shocking those who bet on gay cowboy flick, Brokeback Mountain, as the favorite to win. 

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Visa needs.