Defending champion PSV moves on without Koeman

Soccer Betting Lines

11/02/2007 - Heerenveen, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - After the unexpected resignation of manager Ronald Koeman earlier this week, unbeaten PSV turns to Jan Wouters as its interim boss for Saturday's match at Heerenveen.

Without Koeman, who signed to manage Spain's Valencia on Friday, Wouters is in charge of guiding the defending champions until a full-time boss is selected.

"Everything is pretty much the same after Ronald Koeman left, although I have made some small changes," said Wouters, who has been an assistant at PSV since 2006.

Wouters played 70 games for the Netherlands during his playing career and was a huge part of the team's 1988 European Football Championship. His club career took him to Utrecht, PSV, Bayern Munich and Ajax.

He got his first coaching job at Utrecht in 1996, and had stints at Ajax and Rangers before joining PSV.

PSV (7-0-2) has continued to display championship form this season, scoring 23 goals and allowing just three in nine matches.

But Koeman's departure can't bother the team or it could easily lose its grip on the top spot in the Eredivisie. PSV is just two points in front of Ajax and Feyenoord.

Seventh-place Heerenveen (4-3-2) has displayed the second-best offense in the league so far with 25 goals. If the club is going to contend for a higher spot in the league, this weekend against a shocked PSV is a great chance to pick up points.

Ajax (6-0-3) and Feyenoord (7-2-0) would welcome an upset by Heerenveen.

Ajax got its first victory under manager Ardie Koster last week ("Compliments to the team," Koster said. "They really fought for each other."), and battles sixth-place Roda on Sunday.

Feyenoord also faces a test Sunday against eight-place Graafschap in the third match of the weekend featuring two top-eight teams.

In Friday's lone league game, substitutes Adil Auassar and Ekrim Kah scored in the final 20 minutes as Willem II defeated Venlo 2-1. Ibrahim Kargbo scored in the 10th minute for Venlo.

Also on Saturday, AZ hosts NEC and Excelsior hosts Sparta.

In Sunday's other matches, Groningen hosts Vitesse, Heracles hosts Twente and Utrecht hosts NAC.

Wwwoasiscasino Soccer Betting News

<< Red Sox pick up options on Wakefield, Tavarez
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Red Sox exercised the 2008 contract options on righthanded pitchers Julian Tavarez and Tim Wakefield on Friday. Wakefield, 41, posted a 17-12 record and a 4.76 earned run average in 31 starts

<< Hurricanes' Wallin to undergo shoulder surgery
Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Niclas Wallin will undergo surgery on his right shoulder on Saturday, and is expected to miss three to four weeks, the club announced Friday. Wallin, 32, has tallied one as

<< Colts' Harrison questionable for matchup against Patriots
Indianapolis, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is listed as questionable for Sunday's mammoth matchup against the New England Patriots. Harrison missed Week 8's 31-7 win over the Carolina Panthers

<< Stars send Lundqvist to Iowa
Frisco, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Stars sent center Joel Lundqvist to Iowa of the American Hockey League and recalled left wing Chris Conner from Iowa on Friday. Lundqvist has two goals and two assists for four points in 11

<< Patriots' Morris placed on IR
Foxboro, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New England Patriots running back Sammy Morris was placed on injured reserve Friday. Morris suffered a chest injury during Week 6's 48-27 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Morris has rushed for 384 yard

Sharks bring in Ozolinsh >>
San Jose, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Jose Sharks have signed defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh to a one-year contract on Friday. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ozolinsh, 35, is returning to the team that drafted hi

Canucks' Bieksa and Salo out >>
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Vancouver Canucks defensemen Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo will both miss time after suffering injuries in Thursday's 3-0 loss to Nashville. Bieksa will miss six-to-eight weeks with a lacerated right calf while

Energie stuns Schalke to snap 14-game winless streak >>
Cottbus, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Defender Christian Bassila scored less than a minute into the second half and Energie held on to stun Schalke, 1-0, on Friday to snap its 14-game unbeaten streak and post its first win of the season.

Truex Jr. on top at TMS >>
Fort Worth, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The sun began to set, the track got cooler and Martin Truex Jr. took advantage of the situation winning the pole for Sunday's Dickies 500 Nextel Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway, the eighth of 10 r

Nadal advances to Paris semifinals >>
Paris, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rafael Nadal was among the quarterfinal winners on Friday in the Paris Masters. The second-seeded Nadal continued his quest for the title at the $2.45 million tournament with an easy 6-4, 6-2 victory ov

Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

Bet on NFL

Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

Bet on NFL

Mysportsbook.com online online sportsbook accepts Visa & Mastercard