Van Nistelrooy rescues Real Madrid's title hopes

Soccer Betting Lines

06/09/2007 - Zaragoza, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ruud van Nistelrooy scored in the 89th minute to give Real Madrid a 2-2 draw against Real Zaragoza at Estadio La Romareda on Saturday.

The result would have been a disaster for Madrid but Raul Tamudo equalized for Espanyol in the 90th minute to hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw at Estadio Camp Nou. The third team in the title race, Sevilla, also was held to a draw as they finished 0-0 with Mallorca.

Madrid will enter the season's final day needing just a win against Mallorca to clinch its first La Liga title since the 2002-03 season.

With Madrid's title hopes on the ropes, Van Nistelrooy was able to get inside the six-yard box and push home the equalizer after a scramble in front.

Alberto Diego Milito put the home side ahead in the first half as he converted from the spot, but Van Nistelrooy answered with his first goal 12 minutes after the restart. Milito put home his second goal in the 64th minute to put Madrid in a tough spot, but Van Nistelrooy rescued a point with his 25th goal of the season.

The game was very open at the start with both teams able to create chances. The first opportunity fell to Zaragoza in the seventh minute as Henrique Ewerthon was given space 25 yards from goal. He got a good look at the net and fired his shot just wide of the upper right corner.

In the 11th minute Robinho tried his luck from long range for Madrid, driving a hard shot towards the lower right corner that Zaragoza keeper Sanchez Cesar got down to stop.

Two minutes later the young Brazilian was handed another chance as David Beckham's cross from the right wing ended up on his foot, but his volley went wide at the near post.

The opener came in the 31st when Pablo Aimar made a slashing run into the box and was brought down by Madrid's Ivan Helguera. Milito then stepped up to the spot and sent keeper Iker Casillas the wrong way, placing his shot inside the left post.

The visitors should have equalized right before halftime but a nice save by Cesar kept Zaragoza in front. Robinho took a pass 30 yards from goal and played it wide to Sergio Ramos, who floated a perfect cross onto the head of Van Nistelrooy near the six-yard box. The Dutchman put his header on goal, but Cesar made a nice reaction stop by pushing the ball over the net.

Madrid fought back 12 minutes after the restart to even the match. Ramos once again was looking for Van Nistelrooy inside the box and he chipped a ball towards the striker. However, the ball took a deflection but still fell for Van Nistelrooy, who headed the ball past the keeper from eight-yards out.

The celebration was short lived for Madrid, however, as Milito tallied his second goal seven minutes later. Aimar took possession of the ball at midfield and embarked on a weaving run through the defense before dropping a pass off for Milito, who faked a shot and then slid the ball past a sprawling Casillas to put Zaragoza in front.

Minutes later, Madrid threatened when Jose Antonio Reyes stole the ball inside the Zaragoza end and slid a pass for Gonzalo Higuain at the edge of the box. Higuain was in behind the defense but Cesar came off his line just in time to clear the ball away.

In desperation, Madrid put together a strong attack over the final 20 minutes in an effort to equalize.

A glancing header from Ramos was stopped before Mahamadou Diarra sent a header of his own wide from close range.

With just minutes left to play, a Beckham free kick nearly put Madrid on level terms as he drove the ball into the box and Higuain got a head to it, sending the ball just inches wide.

However, much like they have done over the past two months, Madrid was able to rescue to points right before the final whistle as Van Nistelrooy knocked home a loose ball from inside the six-yard box.

In other action in Spain on Saturday, Celta Vigo moved to within one point of safety with a 3-2 win against Atletico Madrid, Levante doubled up on Valencia 4-2, Osasuna got two goals from Ion Sola in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Betis, Real Sociedad could only muster a 0-0 draw with Racing and now is three points from safety with just game to play and Athletic Bilbao is now just one point from the drop zone after a 3-1 loss to Villarreal.

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NFL ODDSTop Football Betting Free Agents to Change Teams

NFL Betting

It’s time to see how the biggest NFL free agent signings will perform for their news teams. Some will work out and could be the difference that makes a difference in the win column.

We look at the best off-season signings and if they should influence your NFL betting this season. Julius Peppers – Peppers was the biggest prize available on the 2010 NFL free agent market and the Chicago Bears opened the bank to bring his talents to the south side.

Peppers is explosive, he can get around blockers and cause quarterbacks to lose their minds. We all remember the classic Peppers game last year against the Vikings where he hounded Brett Favre into his worst game of the season. Peppers joining the Bears could be the reason Favre retired for good Tuesday morning. In addition to Peppers, the Bears added Chester Taylor to back up Matt Forte, Forte didn’t have the same intensity in 2009 compared to 2008 and bringing in Taylor will challenge Forte to bring it every game or he’ll risk losing carries to Taylor.

Betting on the Bears is a good option this season because of Julius Peppers and to a lesser extent Taylor. Antonio Bryant and Terrell Owens – The Cincinnati Bengals signed two former number one wide receivers to line up with Chad Ocho Cinco. Antonio Bryant had a huge season in 2008 catching 83 passes for over 1200 yards but regressed last season. Playing for the Tampa Bay Bucs last season was a large part of the regression, everyone was bad in TB last season.

Bryant should have a bounce back season if he can win the number two spot from Terrell Owens. If Bryant wins the number 2 WR spot, it will open up a completely new set of problems for the Bengals. If Owens is forced to the bench in favor of Bryant, his attitude will create trouble for Carson Palmer and head coach Marv Lewis. If Owens is the number two receiver, it means Bryant can’t live up to his past numbers and the Bengals are still limited in the passing game. NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. 2010 football betting lines for this can be found at this top online sportsbook. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense.

NFL bettors should be wary of laying their money down on what could potentially be the biggest gong show in the league in 2010. Karlos Danby – The Miami Dolphins have a great running back tandem in Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, a good young QB in Chad Henne and now the Bill Parcells regime is building a solid defense. They signed away the Arizona Cardinals top linebacker Karlos Danby. In the past two seasons, Danby has totaled 228 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles. The Dolphins are the forgotten team of the AFC East with the second longest odds to win the division but with the addition of Karlos Danby and a trade for WR Brandon Marshall makes the Miami Dolphins legitimate contenders in the AFC East and in the NFL’s Eastern Conference.

The Dolphins will make NFL wagering fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

NFL Wagering

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