Mojo Jojo (-1.0 Goals) (-200)
Red Cheeks (+1.0 Goals) (+140)
Over 6.5 (-115)
Under 6.5 (-125)
Notes: Green is coming into this game with a decimated roster and will likely be rocking two lines. It’s a tough break for Mojo Jojo as both Rys and Danilo appear to be out for the playoffs just a week after two rollicking wins over JFC and MPT, the two teams they would face if they win this first game. Plus a number of other players who are either for sure out tonight or just missing this first game. It’s far from an ideal scenario but the public seems to be all over them regardless.
That said, green applied and received a playoff exemption for Danilo (can only get one per team so none for Rys) and will have Caleb from the Fresh Kills in his stead. Meanwhile a deal was also reached with the red front office whereby they are receiving Rachel Lee as a lady sub in exchange for green getting the services of Cardello fresh off a weekend where he drank approximately 86 beers. This will be his 26th game of the D5 season and he is in his words “jacked to the fucking tits” to play in this one. Red seems to have most of their roster but is missing perhaps their most crucial piece: The Milkman who is still in Alaska and thus unlikely to make it back in time for this game. I’ve felt that green was underrated and red was overrated this entire season and although the roster construction isn’t exactly ideal, I see no reason to turn back now. Mojo Jojo by two.
Bonus Lines:
More Points In This Game
Neil + Satok (-200)
Tarnow + Campbell + Carter (+140)
The Hart Foundation (+2.0 Goals) (-120)
Oh, Deer! (-2.0 Goals) (-120)
Over 8.0 (-130)
Under 8.0 (-110)
Notes: This was all set to be a matchup of electric darkhorse teams, each of whom had a legit chance to go to the final four. Fans still gave Oh Deer the advantage but neither team winning would’ve been a surprise.
That said, with Miles all but confirmed to miss this matchup, this looks rough for pink. They can’t be counted out because they have a great combination of speed, grit and scoring but without their top pick, who was tied for 1st in the league with 2.5 points per game, I’m not sure how they beat a fully loaded camo squad. Hicks and Fitz should have their way with the defense while Hilary holds down the back-end. Deer scores 5 or more and wins by 3.
Mojo Jojo (-135)
Julie’s Football Club (-105)
Over 6.0 (EVEN)
Under 6.0 (-145)
Red Cheeks (+1.5 Goals) (+120)
Julie’s Football Club (-1.5 Goals) (-165)
Over 7.0 (-105)
Under 7.0 (-135)
Notes: If it’s green vs orange it’s an incredibly tight matchup, likely super low scoring, but one where I give Mojo Jojo the slightest of edges. If it’s red, I think the loss of Milkman is too difficult to overcome. Fans seem to agree with this general assessment, even without the Milkman injury news, as they have orange and green in a dead heat to advance from this part of the bracket.
Complicating matters somewhat here is that Zisser is rolling up directly from a work event. If he’s able to limit his booze intake to 2-3 drinks it shouldn’t really matter. If he gets gangster wild out there, as he has been known to do, all bets are off and the over/under along with all spread bets on this game are frozen. Whatever the case may be, I’m continuing to roll with Mojo as the Cinderella story of the night.
The Hart Foundation (+2.0 Goals) (-110)
Merry Pranksters (-2.0 Goals) (-130)
Over 8.0 (-130)
Under 8.0 (-110)
Oh, Deer! (-110)
Merry Pranksters (-130)
Over 8.0 (-120)
Under 8.0 (-120)
Notes: Similar to the above game – if one team wins I see a very close game. If the other team wins I think it might get ugly. With Miles this is another elite matchup as their earlier matchup this season had a playoff type feel. But his absence unfortunately changes everything especially against a fully loaded tie dye squad. Total-wise, if it’s Deer/Pranksters you have two elite goalies (who were traded for each other) but also two high scoring duos with Fitz/Hicks facing off against Gelman/Jo. Quite honestly I think I might take the over in either of these scenarios. If Gelman runs goalies again, all bets are off.
MOJO/RED/JFC (+1.5 Goals) (-170)
Mel’s Power Trip (-1.5 Goals) (+125)
Over 5.0 (-135)
Under 5.0 (-105)
Notes: Always tough to bet on a game where you don’t know the participants but the public is giving yellow some solid respect although they’re also indicating they see them advancing as almost a total coinflip.
Yellow’s had an interesting season; better than I expected for sure but also not the overpowering force others expected. Jai has been a pleasant surprise as an unknown late rounder and Keith is having a career year for the ages (sponsored by Keitharitas), but top-end attendance has been shaky and under three hours before I leave for 96th street I still have no idea who their goalie is tonight. I’m not sure what to expect here but after last week’s rain delay situation and the hilarious comment one member left on the end of season exit poll, I really hope we get an explosive green/yellow rematch.
And if that is indeed how it goes down, the +1.5 goals line will be a gift from the heavens. Otherwise, just play it safe and bet on another low scoring game from yellow whose average of 4.6 combined goals per game is probably some kind of league record.
Bonus Lines:
Yehuda Assists (action if linemate is Pelletier only)
Over 0.5 (-110)
Under 0.5 (-130)