Abidal inks new Barca deal

Soccer Betting Lines

02/03/2012 - Barcelona, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Barcelona defender Eric Abidal put pen to paper on a new contract with the club on Friday, signing a deal that keeps him at the Nou Camp through at least next season.

It was announced last month that the France international had agreed to a deal that would keep him with Barca through next season, with the option of extending the contract a further two years.

"I always said that I'd like to stay and live here and enjoy the football," Abidal told the club's website.

"(Barcelona are) my second family. I see people at the club more than I see my own family."

The 32-year-old has made 116 league appearances for the Catalan side since joining from Lyon in 2007, with Abidal playing in 18 of Barca's 20 league matches so far this campaign.

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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.