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UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals Previews and Odds - 04/13/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2021

UEFA Champions League Tuesday: Quarterfinals PreviewThe quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League continue on Tuesday with two second-leg matches at 3 PM ET. Chelsea is the technical home team against FC Porto after defeating the Portugal Primeira League club, 2-0, in the first leg of the quarterfinals showdown last Wednesday. Mason Mount scored the opening goal at the 32nd-minute mark of the first half before Ben Chilwell took advantage of a defensive error in the 85th minute in the second half to score the insurance goal. The Blues only tallied six shots with three on target. The Dragons bettered both marks, with five of their eight total shots being on target. Porto was the technical home team last week, with both matches being played on neutral soil in Seville, Spain, due to COVID travel restrictions. The Dragons must score at least two goals with a victory in this second leg to advance to the semifinals. A 2-0 win after regulation time will force extra time with the aggregate score tied at two goals apiece. If both teams scored in the extra time, but the score remains tied after the two after the two 15-minute halves, the road team wins via the away goals tie-breaker. A best-of-five penalty shootout resolves the match if the extra time went scoreless. Manager Sergio Conceicao’s side rebounded on Saturday by defeating Tondela, 2-0m the Portugal top flight. Porto is unbeaten in the Portugal Primeira League since October but remains in second place to Sporting Life. Their loss to Chelsea last week was just the second time in nine Champions League matches this season where they failed to score. Conceicao may have to alter his 4-4-2 defensive formation that often keeps six players in back to generate the pressure necessary to score at least twice against a stout Blues’ defense. The Dragons scored four goals in their Final 16 legs against Juventus. Chelsea defeated Crystal Palace by a 4-1 score on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel rested many of the starting XI that played on Wednesday, which resulted in a more offensively-oriented group on the pitch against the Eagles. Kai Havertz rewarded Tuchel’s decision to play him at a forward position by scoring the opening goal eight minutes into the match. Christian Pulisic then scored twice before Kurt Zouma scored the final goal. The Blues allowed an opponent to score on Saturday for just the second time in their last ten games across all competitions. Chelsea has registered a clean sheet in seven of their nine matches in the Champions League. BookMaker lists Chelsea as a -0.5 goal line favorite with the total set at 2.5.Paris Saint-Germain hosts Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes after their 3-2 triumph at Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe produced a brace, and Marinquos scored the middle goal in the 28th minute to lead the Parisians to the upset victory. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has his team advance to the semifinals if they do not surrender two goals. PSG followed up their victory on Wednesday with a 4-1 win at Strasbourg in Ligue 1 three days later. The Parisians are three points behind Lille for first place in the French top flight. Bayern Munich got goals from Eric-Maxim Choupo Motine and Thomas Muller in the losing effort last week. Manager Hansi Flick continues to be without attacker Robert Lewandowski, out a few more weeks after injuring his knee during the international break playing for his Polish national team. Lewandowski has netted 42 goals in 36 matches across all competitions this season. Despite the final score, the Bavarians outshot PSG, 21-5, with 12 of their shots on target to just four for the Parisians. Flick’s side comes off a 1-1 draw at home to Union Berlin on Saturday. Bayern Munich has scored only two goals in their two Bundesliga matches since the Lewandowski injury. Knocks also question the availability of Serge Gnarby, Douglas Costa, and Corentin Tolisso for this match.The Bavarians must either win by two goals or score four goals in a victory, to advance to the semifinals. A 3-2 win after regulation time would force the extra time tie-breaker. BookMaker lists Bayern Munich as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. Both matches on the Paramount+ app (formerly CBS All-Access). The PSG-Bayern Munich match is also on TUDN.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, MLB, NHL and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 04/13/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Apr 13, 2021

The Tuesday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the UEFA Champions League.The NBA has six games on the docket. The card begins at 7 PM ET with the opener on TNT with the Los Angles Clippers visiting Indiana. The Clippers won their fifth straight game with a 131-124 victory at home against Detroit as a 12.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Pacers won their third in a row when they upset Memphis on the road, 132-125, as a 3.5-point underdog on Sunday.The nightcap on TNT has Portland hosting Boston at 10 PM ET. The Trail Blazers lost their third game in their last four with a 107-98 loss at home to Miami as a 1-point underdog on Sunday. The Celtics won their fifth game in six on Sunday with a 105-87 upset win at Denver as a 3-point underdog. Portland is a 1-point favorite with the total set at 228 (all odds from BetOnline). Six games are on the NHL slate. The schedule begins at 7 PM ET, with Washington playing at home against Philadelphia. The Capitals won their second straight game with their 8-1 victory at Boston on Sunday. The Flyers have lost three of their last four games after a 5-3 loss to Buffalo on Sunday. Washington is a -150 money line favorite with an over/under of 6.Seventeen games are on the MLB schedule, with two doubleheaders making up for two of the postponements on Monday. The card begins at 2:10 PM ET with Minnesota at home against Boston as a -143 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Two televised games are on ESPN, beginning at 7 PM ET with Philadelphia playing in New York against the Mets in the second game of their Tuesday doubleheader after the rainout on Monday. The starting pitcher matchup will likely be Aaron Nola pitching for the Phillies against New York’s Marcus Stroman. The second game on ESPN has San Francisco hosting Cincinnati at 10 PM ET. The Reds won the series opener with a 3-0 victory on Monday. They turn to Luis Castillo for Game Two against the Giants’ Kevin Gausman. San Francisco is a -108 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals has two matches on Paramount (formerly CBS All-Access) at 3 PM ET. Chelsea plays FC Porto after winning the first leg as the road team, 2-0, last Wednesday. Porto must score at least two goals in a victory to advance to the semifinals. A 2-0 win after regulation time will force extra time with the aggregate score tied at two goals apiece. If both teams scored in the extra time, but the score remains tied after the two after the two 15-minute halves, the road team wins via the away goals tie-breaker. A best-of-five penalty shootout resolves the match if the extra time went scoreless. Chelsea is the technical home team with both legs of this matchup played at Seville, Spain, due to travel restrictions due to COVID. Chelsea is a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 2.5.Paris Saint-Germain hosts Bayern Munich at their Parc des Princes after their 3-2 triumph on the road at Allianz Arena. The Bavarians must either win by two goals or score four goals in a victory, to advance to the semifinals. A 3-2 win after regulation time would force the extra time tie-breaker. Bayern Munich is a -0.50 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 3.5. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NHL, NBA and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/12/2021

by Big Al Staff

Monday, Apr 12, 2021

The Monday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and English Premier League.The NBA has nine games on the docket. The card begins at 7:30 PM ET, with the New York Knicks hosting the Los Angeles Lakers as a 3-point favorite with the total set at 206 (all odds from BetOnline). Philadelphia travels to Dallas for the first game of an ESPN doubleheader at 7:30 PM ET. The 76ers have won two of their last three games after a 117-93 victory at Oklahoma City as a 9.5-point favorite on Saturday. The Mavericks have lost two of three games after their 119-117 upset loss to San Antonio as a 6-point favorite on Sunday. San Antonio visits Orlando at 8 PM ET as a 5.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 220. Brooklyn plays at Minnesota as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 240.5. Utah plays at home against Washington at 9 PM ET as a -13.5-point favorite with an over/under of 234. Memphis hosts Chicago as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 229. New Orleans is at home against Sacramento as a 4-point favorite with an over/under of 232.Phoenix hosts Houston at 10 PM ET as a 13-point favorite with a total of 228. Denver travels to Golden State in the second game on ESPN. The Nuggets had their eight-game winning streak end with a 105-87 upset loss to Boston as a 3.5-point favorite on Sunday. The Warriors have won two of three with their 125-109 win against Houston as a 7-point favorite on Saturday.Eight games are on the NHL slate. Winnipeg visits Ottawa at 7 PM ET as a -180 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Toronto is home against Montreal as a -129 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Carolina plays at home against Detroit as a -355 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Chicago travels to Columbus as a -118 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5.Minnesota hosts St. Louis at 8 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Arizona plays at home Colorado at 9 PM ET. Vegas visits the Los Angeles Kings at 10 PM ET as a -168 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. San Jose is at home against Anaheim at 10 PM ET. Fourteen games are on the MLB schedule. The card begins at 2:10 PM ET, with Minnesota hosting Boston as a -141 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Milwaukee is at home against the Chicago Cubs on FS1 at 7:40 PM ET. The Brewers have won four of their last five games after their 9-3 win against St. Louis on Sunday. The Cubs have lost four of five after a 7-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday. Adbert Alzolay pitches for Chicago against Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta. The Brewers are a -137 money line favorite with a total of an over/under of 8.The MLB card concludes at 9:45 PM ET with San Francisco playing at home against Cincinnati as a -110 money line favorite with the total at 8.5.Matchweek 31 in the English Premier League concludes with two matches on the NBC Sports Network. Southampton travels to West Bromwich Albion at 1 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line road favorite with a total of 2.5. Brighton and Hove Albion plays at home against Everton at 3:15 PM ET as a -0.25 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.25.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/11/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Apr 11, 2021

The Sunday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and English Premier League.The NBA has ten games on the docket. The card begins at 1:00 PM ET, with Atlanta playing at Charlotte as a 4-point road favorite with the total set at 220.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Boston visits Denver at 3 PM ET in the other afternoon NBA contest. New Orleans travels to Cleveland at 7 PM ET as a 6.5-point road favorite with an over/under of 227. Milwaukee plays at Orlando. Chicago visits Minnesota at 8 PM ET with the Bulls a 4.5-point road favorite with the total at 231. Dallas is at home against San Antonio as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 220.5. Toronto plays at New York. Indiana travels to Memphis. Miami is on the road against Portland at 10 PM ET as a 1-point road favorite with the total at 222. Detroit plays in Los Angeles against the Clippers.Seven games are on the NHL slate. Philadelphia hosts Buffalo at 2 PM ET as a -225 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Vegas is at home against Arizona at 4 PM ET as a -234 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. Colorado visits Anaheim at 6 PM ET as a -335 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Pittsburgh travels to New Jersey at 7 PM ET as a -178 money line road favorite with a total of 6. The New York Islanders are at home against the New York Rangers as a -118 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Boston is at home against Washington as a -109 money line favorite with a total of 5.5. At 8 PM ET, Dallas plays at Nashville.Fourteen games are on the MLB schedule. The Chicago Cubs play at Pittsburgh at 1:05 PM ET as a -143 money line road favorite with the over/under at 8.5. Boston plays at Baltimore as a -137 money line road favorite with the total at 9.5. Toronto hosts the Los Angeles Angels at 1:07 PM ET. Cleveland is at home against Detroit at 1:10 PM ET as a 169 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The New York Yankees visit Tampa Bay. Miami plays at the New York Mets. Minnesota plays at home against Seattle at 2:10 PM ET as a -182 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Chicago White Sox are at home against Kansas City as a -138 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. St. Louis hosts Milwaukee at 2:15 PM ET as a -123 money line favorite with the total at 8.5. San Diego plays at Texas at 2:35 PM ET as a -166 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. San Francisco is at home against Colorado at 4:05 PM ET as a -119 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Los Angeles Dodgers play at home against Washington at 4:10 PM ET as a -175 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Cincinnati visits Arizona as a -111 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Atlanta hosts Philadelphia to conclude the card for Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN at 7:08 PM ET. The Braves have won four in a row after their 5-4 victory against the Phillies on Saturday. They send out Drew Smyly to face Philadelphia’s Matt Moore. The Phillies have lost three of four. Atlanta is a -159 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.Matchweek 31 in the English Premier League continues with four matches on the NBC Peacock app. Burnley plays at home against Newcastle United at 7 AM ET as a -0.25 goal line favorite with the total at 2. Leicester City visits West Ham United at 9:05 AM ET as a -0.25 money line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5. Manchester United visits Tottenham at 11:30 AM ET in a pick ‘em match up with the total at 2.5. Arsenal travels to Sheffield United at 2 PM ET as a -1 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.5.

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MLB Baseball: Oakland A's vs. Houston Astros - Preview, Odds and Prediction - 04/10/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Apr 10, 2021

Saturday MLB FS1 Preview: Oakland versus Houston. Oakland plays at Houston on FS1 at 4 PM ET to conclude their two-game series. The A’s won for just the second time in nine games this season with their 6-2 victory against the Astros last night. The game was deadlocked at 1-1 in the eighth inning before Matt Olsen broke things open with a three-run blast. The A’s won the AL West last season but lost some key pieces from that team, including shortstop Marcus Siemien and closer Liam Hendricks. Billy Beane and general manager David Forst brought in Elvis Andrus to play short and Trevor Rosenthal to close games. Rosenthal has since suffered a shoulder injury that placed him on the 60-day disabled list. Oakland is averaging only 2.4 runs per game this season with a .170 batting average, .253 on-base percentage, and an OPS of 514. The bullpen has a 6.21 ERA with a 1.68 WHIP. Manager Bob Melvin currently is using a committee of Lou Trivino, Jake Diekman, and Sergio Romo to close out games. Diekman pitched the ninth inning last night but gave up a run.Frankie Montas makes his second start for the A’s this afternoon. He was rocked for seven runs in 2 2/3 innings of work in his initial start this season at home against the Dodgers. The 28-year old right-hander was 3-5 with a 5.60 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP in 11 starts last year.Houston was 0-9 last night with runners in scoring position. Sluggers Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman, and Yordan Alvarez at the heart of their lineup combined to go 0-13 at the plate. It was just the second loss for the Astros in eight games this season.Dusty Baker led this team to within one game of the World Series in his first year managing the club. Houston has won the AL West title in three of the last four seasons. They lost outfielder George Springer to free agency in the offseason. Brantley got signed to take his spot. The Astros also got Alvarez back on the field after the 2019 American League Rookie of the Year winner only played two games last year because of injuries and COVID. Houston is averaging 7.3 runs per game this season with a .290 batting average, an on-base percentage of .354, and an OPS of .890. The Astros have a bullpen ERA of 2.93 with a 1.16 WHIP. Baker turns to Jose Urquidy after he allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings at Oakland in his first start on April 4th. The 25-year old right-hander had a 1-1 record with a 2.73 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP in five starts last year. This showdown is already the seventh meeting between these two AL West rivals this season. Houston has won five of the six games. Both teams have Sunday off before embarking on a new series on Monday. The Astros host Detroit for three games next week while the A's travel to Arizona for a two-game series. BetAnySports lists the Astros as a -143 money line favorite with a total set at 9.Computer prediction:  Houston Astros 5 Oakland A's 4

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/10/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Apr 10, 2021

The Saturday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and English Premier League. The NBA has seven games on the docket. The card begins at 7:30 PM ET, with Toronto playing at Cleveland.  Brooklyn hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on ABC at 8:30 PM ET. The Nets have won six of their last seven games with their 139-111 win against New Orleans as an 8-point favorite on Wednesday. James Harden is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury, but Kevin Durant played 19 minutes against the Pelicans in his first game back since February 13th with his hamstring injury. The Lakers have lost two of their last three games after their 110-104 loss at Miami as a 9.5-point underdog on Thursday. The defending champions remain without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are out with injuries. Brooklyn is a 12.5-point favorite with the total set at 223.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Utah plays at home against Sacramento at 9 PM ET as a 12.5-point favorite with an over/under of 230.5. Philadelphia visits Oklahoma City at 9 PM ET. Washington travels to Phoenix at 10 PM ET. Golden State is at home against Houston as a 9-point favorite with a total of 228. Detroit plays at Portland at 10 PM ET. Ten games are on the NHL slate. The card begins at 2 PM ET with two games. Dallas is at home against Florida as a -112 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Boston visits Philadelphia as a -115 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5.  Four NHL games start at 7 PM ET. Montreal hosts Winnipeg as a -128 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Chicago visits Columbus as a -113 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Toronto plays at home against Ottawa as a -340 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.  Tampa travels to Nashville for a clash at 8 PM ET as a -175 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Minnesota visits St. Louis at 8 PM ET. Edmonton plays at Calgary as a -106 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. San Jose plays at home against Los Angeles at 10:30 PM ET.  Thirteen games are on the MLB schedule. The New York Mets are at home against Miami as a -259 money line favorite with a total of 7. The New York Yankees visit Tampa Bay as a -115 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Minnesota is at home against Seattle at 2:10 PM ET as a -175 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Chicago White Sox host Kansas City as a -143 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. St. Louis is at home against Milwaukee as a -106 money line favorite with a total of 8.5.  San Francisco plays at home against Colorado at 4:05 PM ET as a -177 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Houston hosts Oakland as a -150 money line favorite with the total at 9. Cleveland is at home against Detroit at 6:10 PM ET as a -157 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. The Chicago Cubs play at Pittsburgh at 6:35 PM ET as a -155 money line favorite with a total of 8.5.  Boston visits Baltimore at 7:05 PM ET as a -128 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.5. San Diego travels to Texas as a -174 money line road favorite with a total of 9. Toronto is at home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -118 money line favorite with an over/under of 11. Atlanta is at home against the Los Angeles Angels as a -135 money line favorite with a total of 8.5.  Matchweek 31 in the English Premier League continues with three matches. Manchester City hosts Leeds United at 7:30 AM ET on the Peacock app as a -1.5 goal line favorite with an over/under of 3. Liverpool is at home against Aston Villa at 10 AM ET on the NBC Sports Network as a -1 goal line favorite with a total of 2.75. Chelsea visits Crystal Palace at 12:30 PM ET on NBC as a -1 goal line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. 

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Big Al's Daily Angle: MLB, NHL, NBA and EPL Previews and Odds - 04/09/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Apr 09, 2021

The Friday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and English Premier League.The NBA has nine games on the docket. The card begins at 7 PM ET, with Indiana playing at Orlando. Memphis travels to New York at 7:30 PM ET. The Grizzlies are a -1.5 point road favorite with the total set at 213.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Boston hosts Minnesota as a -8.5 point favorite with an over/under of 228. Philadelphia visits New Orleans at 8 PM ET. Atlanta plays at home against Chicago as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 227.5. Charlotte plays at Milwaukee, and Denver hosts San Antonio at 9 PM ET. Golden State is at home against Washington at 10 PM ET as a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 240.5. The Los Angeles Clippers hosts Houston as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 226.Seven games are on the NHL slate. Three games begin the schedule at 7 PM ET. The New York Islanders host the New York Rangers as a -121 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Pittsburgh visits New Jersey as a -180 money line road favorite with a total of 6. Washington travels to Buffalo as a -240 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. At 8 PM ET, on the NHL Network, Minnesota plays at St. Louis as a -112 money line road favorite, with a total of 5.5. Vegas is at home against Arizona at 10 PM ET. The Golden Knights are a -220 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Colorado travels to Anaheim as a -340 money line road favorite with a total of 6. San Jose hosts Los Angeles at 10:30 PM ET as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Nine games are on the MLB slate. The opening pitch is at 3:10 PM ET, with the New York Yankees playing at Tampa Bay as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers host Washington at 4:10 PM ET as a -270 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. San Francisco is at home against Colorado at 4:35 PM ET as a -152 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Angels visit Toronto at 7:07 PM ET. Cleveland is at home against Detroit at 7:10 PM ET as a -183 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Atlanta plays at home against Philadelphia at 7:20 PM ET as a -125 money line favorite with a total of 8. San Diego visits Texas at 8:05 PM ET as a -185 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Houston is at home against Oakland at 8:10 PM ET as a -170 money line favorite with the total at 9. Cincinnati plays at Arizona at 9:40 PM ET as a -131 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9.Matchweek 31 of the English Premier League begins on Friday, with Fulham hosting Wolverhampton at 3 PM ET. The Cottagers are a -0.25 favorite against the Wolves, with the total set at 2. The NBC Peacock app has the broadcast.

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NHL Hockey: Los Angeles Kings vs San Jose Sharks - Preview, Odds and Prediction - 04/09/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Apr 09, 2021

Friday NHL Preview: Los Angeles versus San Jose. Los Angeles visits San Jose tonight in a battle of two West Division teams fighting for their playoff lives. The puck drops at 10:38 PM ET.The Kings ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 win against Arizona on Wednesday. Los Angeles got a goal from Jaret Anderson-Dolan in the first period but entered the third period trailing, 3-1. Goals from Adrian Kempe and Jeff Carter deadlocked the score before Carl Grundstrom scored the game-winner at the 6:05 minute mark. Jonathan Quick made 24 saves in the victory. Todd McClellan is likely to turn back to Calvin Petersen as his goaltender tonight. Quick has not started in two straight games for the Kings since mid-February. Petersen has a 7-9-4 record this season with a 2.57 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage. The 26-year old has started three of the last five games for Los Angeles. Center Anze Kopitar leads the team with 40 points coming from eight goals and 32 assists. Defenseman Drew Doughty has scored eight goals with 22 assists. Right wing Alex Iafallo is third on the team with 23 points from nine goals and 14 assists. Despite the win on Tuesday, the Kings have lost six of their last eight games. With 36 points to date from their 15-17-6 record, Los Angeles is in seventh place in the West, seven points behind Arizona for the fourth and final playoff spot from the division. This contest is just their second game on the road in a stretch of eight games which concludes with a two-game homestand against Vegas next week.San Jose had their four-game winning streak end with a 5-1 loss at home to Anaheim on Tuesday. The Sharks fell behind, 2-0 before Patrick Marleau scored on a power play to pull his team within one goal. The Ducks scored the final three goals for the victory. Martin Jones stopped 29 shots in the defeat. He has a 14-8-2 record with a 3.08 goals-against-average and a .904 save percentage. He has made five straight starts so it is not likely that Doug Wilson will opt for backup Devan Dubnyk against the Kings. Jones has a 5-1-0 record against Los Angeles this season with a 2.37 goals-against-average and a .932 save percentage. Left wing Evander Kane leads the Kings with 33 points from 16 goals and 17 assists. Center Logan Couture adds 14 goals and 11 assists. Center Tomas Hertl has another 11 goals and 13 assists to rank third on the team with 24 points. San Jose has won six of their last nine to rise to sixth place in the West and pull within five points of Arizona. Their 17-17-4 record gives them 38 points. This contest is the second game of a five-game homestand for the Sharks. They will likely still be without defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic who is questionable with an upper-body injury. This showdown is the first of a two-game series between these two teams, who will play tomorrow night in Los Angeles. BetAnySports lists San Jose as a -124 money line favorite, with the total set at 5.5.Computer prediction:  San Jose Sharks 3 Los Angeles Kings 2

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PGA Golf: The Masters Championship - Preview, Odds and Prediction - 04/08/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Apr 08, 2021

The Masters Championship Preview: April 8th, 2021The 85th Masters Championship returns to its traditional April weekend this week after last year’s tournament got delayed until November because of the COVID shutdown. Dustin Johnson returns as the defending champion after breaking a course record by two strokes with his 20 under par to win the event. Johnson is the favorite to win this tournament again at +900 odds (all odds from BetOnline). Johnson has won five victories in the last ten months, but he has not in his top form as of late. Johnson had registered six top-10s in a row before winning the Masters in November. This time around, Johnson finished in 54th place at the World Golf Championships event at the Concessions before a tie for 48th place at the Player’s Championship and a tie for 28th place at the World Gold Championship match play event two weeks ago. Only Tiger Woods has scored better than Johnson in the last two Masters Championships, with Johnson finishing second in the spring of 2019.Bryson DeChambeau is +1000 to win going into Thursday morning. After winning the US Open last fall, DeChambeau claimed that his par for Augusta National was 68. He finished tied for 34th place that week. DeChambeau won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March before finishing tied for third place at the Player’s Championship a week later. DeChambeau has never placed better than 21st in his four appearances at this tournament. Justin Thomas is +1000 to win the tournament as well. Thomas won the Player’s Championship in March after shooting 12 under par on the weekend at TPC Sawgrass. He has made all five cuts in his previous trips to Augusta, with his fourth place in November being his best result. Jordan Spieth is +1000 to with the tournament, with bettors pushing his number down after winning the Valero Texas Open last weekend. The former number one player in the world has rediscovered his game with four top-four results since February. Spieth won the 2015 Masters, and he has finished in third place or better four times. Jon Rahm is +1200 to win this week. Rahm is a new father as of Sunday, and he hopes he can experience the same magic that Daniel Willet did when he won the Masters as a new father in 2016. Rahm has been the model of consistency with top-ten finishes in seven of his last nine events. He has finished in the top ten at the Masters in three straight appearances, including his tie for seventh place last November.Rory McIlroy comes in at a +1800 price. He finished in a tie for 28th place at the World Golf Championship match-play event two weeks ago after missing the cut at the Player’s Championship. McIlroy blames his recent form on being too aggressive with his driver after witnessing DeChambeau’s recent success. He has since hired a new driving coaching. McIlroy has six straight top-ten finishes at Augusta National since 2014.Patrick Cantlay is a +2200 favorite. He has eight top-20 finishes this season, with a win at the Zozo Championship and second place at The American Express. Cantlay finished tied for ninth place in 2019 after leading on Sunday before a tie for 17th place last November. Xander Schauffele is a +2500 favorite. His last event was a tie for 18th place at the World Golf Championship match-play event two weeks ago. Schauffele followed up a tie for 2nd place at the Masters in 2019 with a tie for 17th place in November. Brooks Koepka is a +2800 favorite. He returns to action for the first time in six weeks after having surgery on his right knee a month ago. He had previously finished in second place in 2021 at the World Golf Championship event at the Concessions. Koepka finished in a tie for second place at the 2019 Masters before a tie for seventh place in November. Collin Morikawa is a +2800 favorite. He won the PGA Championship last year, and he has since won the World Golf Championship event at the Concession. This event is his second Masters after finishing in 44th place in November. ESPN and ESPN+ broadcast the Masters on Thursday and Friday. ESPN+ has the early coverage on the weekend before CBS takes over on both days.Prediction:  Rory McIlroy (+1800) to win The Masters Championship.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL and MLB Previews and Odds - 04/08/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Apr 08, 2021

The Thursday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, and MLB.The NBA has seven games on the docket. Chicago plays Toronto at 7:30 PM ET. A doubleheader on TNT begins at 7:30 PM ET with Miami hosting the Los Angeles Lakers. The Heat had their four-game winning streak snapped with a 124-112 upset loss to Memphis as a 6.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Lakers have won four of their last six games even without LeBron James and Anthony Davis after their 110-101 win at Toronto as a 1-point favorite on Tuesday. Miami is an 8-point favorite with the total set at 204.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Cleveland visits Oklahoma City at 8 PM ET as a 3-point road favorite with an over/under of 212.5. Milwaukee travels to Dallas at 9 PM ET. The NBA card concludes at 10 PM ET with three games. Utah plays at home against Portland as a 7-point favorite with a total of 230.5. Detroit visits Sacramento. The Los Angeles Clippers are at home against Phoenix in the nightcap on TNT. The Clippers have won eight of their last ten games after their 133-116 win against Portland as a 6.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Suns have won seven straight games after their 117-113 upset win in overtime against Utah as a 2.5-point underdog on Wednesday. Los Angeles is a 5-point favorite with an over/under of 223.5.The NHL has ten games on the slate, with none on national television. The puck drops with eight games starting at 7 PM ET. Carolina plays at home against Florida as a -141 money line favorite with the total at 6. Tampa Bay visits Colorado as a -208 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Winnipeg plays at Montreal. The New York Rangers hosts Pittsburgh as a -120 money line favorite with the total at 6. The New York Islanders are at home against Philadelphia as a -160 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The New Jersey Devils visit Buffalo as a -130 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Edmonton plays at Ottawa. Nashville travels to Detroit at 7:30 PM ET as a -155 money line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Dallas plays at Chicago at 8 PM ET as a -110 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Nine games are on the MLB schedule, with none on national television. The slate begins at 1:10 PM ET with Miami visiting the New York Mets. The Chicago Cubs play at Pittsburgh at 1:35 PM ET as a -133 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Boston plays at Baltimore at 3:05 PM ET as a -159 money line road favorite with the total at 9. Colorado plays at home against Arizona as a -116 money line favorite with an over/under of 11.5. Minnesota hosts Seattle at 4:10 PM ET as a -180 money line favorite with a total of 8. The Chicago White Sox plays at home against Kansas City as a -158 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Milwaukee travels to St. Louis as a -130 money line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Toronto is at home against the Los Angeles Angels at 7:07 PM ET as a -114 money line favorite with a total of 10. Houston plays at home versus Oakland as a -158 money line favorite with an over/under of 9.5.

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UEFA Champions League: Quarterfinals Preview and Odds - 04/07/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2021

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League continue on Wednesday with the two remaining first-leg matches at 3 PM ET. Both games are on Paramount (formerly CBS All-Access).Bayern Munich hosts Paris Saint-Germain at their Allianz Stadium. The Bavarians advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 second-leg win against Lazio on March 17th, which secured a 6-2 aggregate score victory. Bayern Munich has won 18 of their last 19 matches in the Champions League. Hansi Flick’s team comes off a 1-0 win at RB Leipzig on Saturday. The victory improved the Bavarians' first place lead over the Red Bulls to seven points in the Bundesliga. Bayern Munich will be without striker Robert Lewandowski who suffered a knee injury during the international break. The Polish star has 42 goals in 36 matches across all competitions. Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the quarterfinals of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw against Barcelona gave them a 5-2 aggregate victory against the Catalan giants. The Parisians pulled off a surprising 4-1 win at Camp Nou in the first leg of that showdown to give them a commanding lead heading into that second leg. Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s men come off a 1-0 loss at home to Lille in Ligue 1 action on Saturday. The loss dropped PSG into second place in the French top flight, three points behind Lille. The Parisians did get Neymar back on the pitch on Saturday after the Brazilian star was out with an injury for two months. But PSG will be without injured midfielder Mario Verratti. This showdown is a rematch of the last year’s Champions League Final, which Bayern Munich won, 1-0, on August 23rd. BookMaker lists Bayern Munich as a -0.5 goal line favorite with the total set at 3.Chelsea plays FC Porto in the second quarterfinals match today. While Porto is the technical home team today, both legs of this matchup are in Seville, Spain, to accommodate COVID travel restrictions. FC Porto advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Juventus via the road goals scored tiebreaker. After winning the first leg at home by a 2-1 score, the Dragons lost at Juventus, 3-2, on March 9th, but advanced by scoring that second goal away from home. Manager Sergio Conceicao’s side has won three straight matches in the Portugal Primeira League after a 2-1 victory at home against Santa Clara. The Dragons have not lost in the Portugal top flight since October yet remain in second place behind Sporting. Chelsea defeated Atletico Madrid by an aggregate 3-0 score in the Last 16 round, after a 2-0 win in the second leg on March 17th. Six of their last eight matches across all competitions have been clean sheets. The Blues did drop their first match under new manager Thomas Tuchel in a 5-2 upset loss at home to West Brom on Saturday. Chelsea was leading by a 1-0 score before Thiago Silva was issued a red card at the 29th minute of that match. The Baggies took advantage of the Blues playing with only ten men by scoring five unanswered goals. Chelsea had given up only two combined goals in their previous 14 matches under Tuchel since he took over for Frank Lampard in January. Chelsea will be without American midfielder Christian Pulisic and French midfielder N’Golo Kante who are both injured. BookMaker lists Chelsea as a -0.75 goal line favorite with an over/under of 2.25.

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Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and UEFA Champions League Previews and Odds - 04/07/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Apr 07, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features action in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the UEFA Champions League.The NBA has nine games on the docket headlined by a doubleheader on ESPN. New Orleans visits Brooklyn in the opening ESPN game at 7:30 PM ET. The Pelicans have lost three of four games after their 123-107 loss at Atlanta as a 3.5-point underdog on Tuesday. The Nets have won five of their last six games with their 114-112 win against New York as a 6-point favorite on Monday. Utah travels to Phoenix in the nightcap on ESPN at 10 PM ET. The Jazz had their nine-game winning streak end with a 111-103 upset loss at Dallas as a 5.5-point favorite on Monday. The Suns won their sixth straight game with a 133-130 victory at Houston as a 14-point favorite on Monday. Utah is a 2-point road favorite with the total set at 225 (all odds from BetOnline).Five games are on the NHL schedule. A doubleheader on the NBC Sports Network begins at 5 PM, with Edmonton playing at Ottawa. The Oilers have lost two of three after their 3-2 defeat at Montreal on Monday. The Senators have lost three of four with their 4-3 setback at Winnipeg on Monday. Edmonton is a -183 money line road favorite with an over/under of 6. Toronto hosts Montreal in the second game on the NBC Sports Network at 7:30 PM ET. The Maple Leafs won their fourth in a row with their 5-3 win at Calgary on Monday. The Canadiens have won four of five after their victory against Edmonton on Monday. Toronto is a -140 money line favorite with the total at 6.Fifteen games are on the MLB slate. Atlanta plays at Washington in the opener of their seven-inning doubleheader at 12:05 PM ET. Max Fried pitches for the Braves against the Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg. The MLB card concludes at 8:40 PM ET with Colorado playing at home against Arizona. The Rockies send out Antonio Senzatela to face the Diamondbacks’ Madison Bumgarner. Colorado is a -110 money line favorite with an over/under of 11.5.The first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals continues with the final two matches at 3 PM ET. Bayern Munich is at home against PSG. The Bavarians advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Lazio by a 2-1 score to secure their 6-2 aggregate victory on March 17th. The Parisians earned a 5-2 aggregate score victory against Barcelona in the Final 16 round after a 1-1 draw on March 10th. Bayern Munich is a -0.5 goal line favorite with a total of 3.Chelsea visits FC Porto. The Blues defeated Atletico Madrid, 2-0, on March 17th to secure a 3-0 aggregate victory in the Final 16. Porto advanced over Juventus from the road goals tie-breaker after a 3-2 road loss on March 9th. Porto won the first leg at home, 2-1. Chelsea is a -0.75 money line road favorite with an over/under of 2.25. Paramount (formerly CBS All-Access) broadcasts both matches.

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