Keita's late goal helps Barca salvage draw

Soccer Betting Lines

05/12/2012 - Seville, Spain (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seydou Keita scored in stoppage time to help Barcelona close out its La Liga campaign with a 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Saturday.

Barcelona entered the game having won 14 of its last 15 league contests, but still had to settle for second place in the league behind Real Madrid.

However, the visitors grabbed an early lead when Sergio Busquets redirected a header past goalkeeper Espinosa Casto.

But Betis was able to stay within a goal and leveled the match in the 71st minute when Ruben Castro was played in behind the Barca defense and lobbed a shot over the head of goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The hosts then moved in front a few minutes later as Castro tallied his second goal after being played in on goal by Etxebarria Benat.

Lionel Messi failed to find the net on Saturday and ends the season with a record 50 league goals, although he struck the post with a free kick in the 90th minute.

Betis looked set to hold on for the win but Martin Montoya's cross found the head of Keita and he turned it home from eight yards.

Real Sociedad 1, Valencia 0

San Sebastian, Spain - Real Sociedad closed its season with a 1-0 home win against Valencia on Saturday as Antoine Griezmann tallied the lone goal in the 64th minute.

Neither side had a lot to play for as Valencia had already secured third place while Sociedad was far enough away from the relegation battle to ensure its place in the top flight next season.

Valencia created a few decent chances after halftime as both Aritz Aduriz and Pablo Hernandez missed opportunities, but the deciding moment came in the 64th when Griezmann got on the other end of Xabi Prieto's cross to redirect the ball over the goal line.

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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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