Dortmund tests 14-game run against Leverkusen

Soccer Betting Lines

02/10/2012 - Dortmund, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Borussia Dortmund returned to the summit in the Bundesliga last weekend, but the defending champions will face a stern test Saturday against Bayer Leverkusen.

Dortmund is unbeaten in 14 straight, and with three successive wins since the league returned from its winter break, coach Jurgen Klopp's side has regained its favorite status to repeat as champions.

Although Dortmund struggled in European play once again this season, Klopp has put together the best side in Germany again. His side secured a semifinal spot in the Pokal Cup earlier this week.

Dortmund has not missed young star Mario Gotze, but any dip in form will prove fatal with Bayern Munich still on its heels in league play. The clubs are also on a collision course in the Pokal Cup, either in the semis or the final.

Klopp will not overlook Leverkusen this week as his opponents did advance into the last 16 of the Champions League, even though Bayer has struggled in league play recently with just one win in its last five.

"We know some things, but we don't know everything," Klopp said about Bayer.

Bayer has been a work in progress under first-year coach Robin Dutt, and could line up in a number of formations this week on the road.

With Barcelona awaiting in the Champions League on Tuesday, Leverkusen needs a boost and a win over Dortmund would provide the perfect medicine. But Dortmund has lost just once at home and dropped points twice in league play.

Leverkusen has been decent away from home with just two losses in 10 matches.

Bayern Munich will defend the Allianz Arena against 16th-place Kaiserslautern, although without star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

He suffered ankle ligament damage against Stuttgart in the Pokal Cup, but with Bayern through after a 2-0 road win, the team enters the league game with some confidence.

Coach Jupp Heynckes will have to shuffle his lineup, and decide whether Thomas Muller - who started against Stuttgart - or Arjen Robben gets the start on the right wing.

Bayern has played better this season without Robben, who has struggled to find top form after missing the early part of the season. Bayern played its best at that time, leaving Heynckes in a tough spot as to what to do with Robben.

Schalke travels to Monchengladbach in Saturday's other match involving top-six clubs, with third place on the line. Schalke currently sits third on 41 points - level with Bayern - while Gladbach is just one point back.

With the top four separated from the pack, the winner should emerge with one foot in the Champions League next season. Schalke, led by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and his 16 goals, has the second-most goals scored this season (46). Gladbach has allowed the fewest (12).

"Gladbach are a well organized side. They defend well, switch the play quickly and like to have the ball in their attacking half," said Schalke manager Huub Stevens.

"Our opponents set out to keep the ball a long way from their own goal. That's clever. We have to be patient against such a team and when we create chances we have to make sure we take them."

Markus Babbel will debut as Hoffenheim's coach at Werder Bremen on Saturday, and Mainz hosts Hannover and Stuttgart hosts Hertha Berlin in the day's other matches.

Augsburg hosts Nurnberg and Cologne hosts Hamburg on Sunday to end the week's action. Wolfsburg hosts Freiburg on Friday to open the week's action.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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