Stephens, who at No. 747 is the lowest-ranked player to win a main draw match at this event, led, 5-2, in the second set and had match point on serve in the ninth game, then had to rally from 3-6 down in the second-set tiebreaker.

“I wasn’t getting nervous,” said Stephens, one of two 16-year-olds in the tournament. “She started playing a lot more. Before, she was hitting a lot of balls off the court and I was waiting for the error. She made me play at the end.”

Stephens said she’ll remember hitting an ace down the middle of the court to get to 6-all in the second-set tiebreaker. She couldn’t recall the final shot of the match, though, but said “it was a good moment.”

Melanie Oudin, at No. 41 the highest-ranked American in the women’s draw, made another quick exit, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 to Roberta Vinci of Italy in their first-round match.

The 18-year-old Oudin, a quarterfinalist at last year’s U.S. Open, had reached at least the quarterfinals in her two most recent events. This was her second successive first-round loss here.

Fellow American Shenay Perry lost to Karolina Sprem, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in another first-round match. Others moving into the second round were Julia Goerges of Germany, Julie Coin of France, Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia, Alexandra Dulgheru of Romania, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic.

The seeded women will begin play in the second round Friday, with No. 2 seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark facing American Vania King in the opening match of the day.

In a late match, Bethanie Mattek-Sands beat Yaroslava Shvedova 7-5, 7-5.

Former No. 1-ranked Carlos Moya led the men’s advance to the second round, but made more than 50 unforced errors before overcoming American qualifier Tim Smyczek 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).

The 33-year-old Spaniard had to save two set points in the opening tiebreaker and then saved two set points while trailing 5-3 in the second, before finally winning in 2 hours, 20 minutes.

Smyczek, ranked No. 295, hadn’t won a set in his two previous ATP Tour level matches but pushed Moya all the way.

Moya, who reached the No. 1 ranking by reaching the Indian Wells title here in 1999, missed all but four tournaments last season due to hamstring and toe injuries and had only one match win this year coming into the BNP Paribas Open.

American Mardy Fish, the BNP Paribas Open runner-up in 2008, beat Michael Berrer of Germany, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 in a first-round match.

Fish, 28, sidelined most of the second half of last season due to a fractured rib and left knee surgery, will face No. 2 Novak Djokovic of Serbia, who won that 2008 final in three sets and is 3-0 against him.

“I feel like I can beat him but I haven’t,” Fish said of Djokovic. And for awhile against Berrer, it didn’t look as if he’d get to try again.

“I’ve played a lot of matches out here. I’ve lost a lot of first sets,” Fish said. “This seems like the majority these days. It comes with the territory. It’s just experience, saying ‘Look, there’s a long way to go. You feel you’re better than this guy. Just bear down.”‘

Ryan Harrison beat doubles partner Taylor Dent, 6-3, 6-4 to become the first 17-year-old to win in this tournament since Rafael Nadal in 2004.

Croatia’s Mario Ancic rallied for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Bobby Reynolds, joining Frenchman Jeremy Chardy and Florent Serra, Fabio Fognini of Italy, Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay, Ramon Delgado of Paraguay, Philipp Petzschner of Germany, Kevin Anderson of South Africa, Brian Dabul of Argentina and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain in the second round.

In a late match, Ernests Gulbis beat Marco Chiudinelli 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Friday night will be highlighted by the Hit for Haiti charity fund raiser. In that, Roger Federer and Pete Sampras will play Nadal and Andre Agassi in one doubles match and Steffi Graf and Lindsay Davenport will play Justine Henin and Martina Navratilova. The event, which also will feature singer Tony Bennett, is a sellout at the 16,100-seat Tennis Garden and the goal is to raise $1 million for victims of the earthquake.

There was nothing for it. De Bromhead returned to Coolmore Stud, where his equine odyssey first started, and from where, aged 28, he would succeed his father on the familys Waterford farm. Only then did he realise he had been marking time all along. I was definitely trying to get away from training in some respects. Dad had had some really bad years. Id seen how hard it was, he said.

To meet de Bromhead is to encounter a man of old values in contemporary clothes. Yet it is easy to glean, from asides in conversation, that he was a late developer. His confidence did not match his potential, and he may have taken longer than most to recognise the virtues of hard work.

The remedy? Two years in Sir Mark Prescotts Newmarket boot camp, although de Bromheads making can be traced to an unexpected call he fielded from Alan Potts in December 2005. An English owner relatively new to the game, Potts wanted to buy a horse - only to be told on arriving in Ireland that the one he liked had developed tendon trouble.

Undaunted, Potts bought two others from de Bromhead who, three months later, had to tell him that one was dead and the other had fractured its knee. That should have been that, yet Potts quickly returned to Ireland to buy one or two more. He ended up with 13, one of which was Sizing Europe, a leading contender for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday who could be joined by four other stablemates at the Festival.

De Bromhead doesnt say it, but Potts, a blunt Yorkshireman, saw sincerity in the young trainer. He made his fortune by an intuitive judgment of others, who would subsequently vindicate him. In de Bromheads case Potts recognised a man who simply needed to be shown the way forward.

Alan is very much behind so much of what I do now, de Bromhead said. He kicked my arse a bit; he kept telling me that whatever I did, I had to do it right. He gave me confidence to invest in the yard and build up the business.

Potts is not alone. Last season was a washout for de Bromhead, leaving him worried that the harsh economic climate would reduce his string. Instead his numbers rose to capacity at his 45-box stable. And a thorough review of his daily routine has effected a dramatic transformation in fortunes. This season he passed his previous-best haul of winners by mid-December.

Since de Bromhead took over Knockeen ten years ago he has built numerous boxes and two new gallops, together with an equine hydrotherapy unit. He must now take the place to the next level and in Sizing Europe may have the horse to transport him.

It would be third time lucky. Two years ago Sizing Europe started favourite for the Champion Hurdle and looked like winning until, full of running two out, he damaged a bone in his spine. Worse would follow 12 months later. The horse was so badly affected by transit fever en route to Cheltenham that vets detained him for five days before they allowed him home.

Sizing Europe has since enjoyed a year of robust health. The only caveat within his record of four wins from as many starts this season is that Captain Cee Bee apparently had his measure when he fell at Leopardstown in December. Whatever would have happened, my horse definitely felt that race, de Bromhead said. I think he needed to be freshened up, which is why he hasnt run since.

More than anything, de Bromhead wants Sizing Europe to show his mettle this time round. He said: The horse has had his knocks. Id say that hes just unfortunate, rather than injury-prone, and hes absolutely bouncing now. Lets hope we see it at Cheltenham.

This latest crushing setback for Thomas came after he had driven to Ditcheat when Nicholls offered him the ride on Woolcombe Folly in the Arkle Trophy on Tuesday. He was upsides Tony McCoy, on Chapoturgeon, when the fall occurred at the last of the schooling fences.

Nicholls said: It was a frightening incident, quite horrific. We thought Sam was seriously hurt and knew we shouldnt move him, so we called the air ambulance and it was with us in six minutes, which was a tremendous effort. They took Sam to Bath Royal United Hospital and they have been doing tests and scans during the day.

The trainer was so distressed that he cancelled plans to attend a Gold Cup lunch in London. Late yesterday, he managed to speak to Thomas personally. They let me have a quick word. He was pretty groggy but amazingly positive, Nicholls said.

It was Tom George, Thomass retaining trainer, who issued categorical news yesterday evening. I havent spoken to Sam directly, but Ive spoken to his father who is with him and he will not be riding at Cheltenham next week, George said. He has suffered a crack to a vertebra high up in his neck, but it is not as bad as first feared and he is able to walk, talk and move his hands and feet.

Its obviously disappointing that he will miss Cheltenham, but the news is largely positive and his injuries will heal with time.

Thomass Cheltenham rides had included Tricky Trickster for Nicholls, in the Gold Cup, and Tell Massini, for George, in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.

Little has gone right for Thomas since a glorious season ended with Gold Cup triumph on Denman. Since losing his job as second jockey to Nicholls, he has missed a number of big days through injury and suspension, but this latest setback will bring most sympathy.

McCoy, who has taken over on Denman, spoke for all his riding colleagues. Sams had no luck recently and we all wish him well, he said. It was a bad fall and I heard something snap.

The champion jockey aims to ride at his lowest weight for almost two years tomorrow. Qaspal, trained by Philip Hobbs, is the new favourite for the Paddy Power Imperial Cup, displacing Hunterview, who failed to make the cut. McCoy said: Hes got 10st 3lb and Im doing my best to get down to it.

Online betting players are watching a two-horse race in Spain, as Valencia is a distant third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Valencia will head to Barca this weekend, but with a dangerous mix of injuries and suspensions to their defense, they wont have much of a shot at ending their terrible run of form at the Nou Camp in recent outings. Barca could be in for a huge game on Sunday.

Valencia vs Barca Picks: Barca -213; Valencia +731; Draw +382
What: Soccer betting
When: Sunday, March 14, 2:00 PM ET
Where Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Key Stat Barca has outscored Valencia 10-0 in their last two meetings at the Nou Camp

The Storyline: Valencia vs Barca Picks

Valencia still has to play Werder Bremen in the first leg of their Europa League tie at home on Thursday, but they could manage only a 0-0 draw against Racing Santander at home on Monday. Barca drew 2-2 at Almeira last Saturday, but that pulled them into a tie for first place with Real Madrid in La Liga. Valencia sits 15 points back in third place, and theyre aiming to hold off the likes of Sevilla and Mallorca. These two sides drew 0-0 at Valencia on October 17th in a chippy affair that had seven yellow cards.

Offensive Matchups: Valencia vs Barca Picks

Villa has scored 37 goals in the Premiership, but theyre coming off a four-goal haul at Reading in the FA Cup, with John Carew notching a hat trick. It would be good for Carew if he could keep that up in the league, as Gaby Agbonlahor leads the way with 11 goals, while Carew, James Milner and Ashley Young have four apiece. When Agbonlahor and Young are rampaging down the wings, that makes it much easier for Carew and Emile Heskey up front.

David Villa is second in La Liga with 17 goals, but hes scoreless in his last three outings. Valencia has scored one goal in their last two matches, but the potential for an explosion is always there with Villa and David Silva leading an attack that is third in La Liga in goals scored.

Barca has scored eight goals in their last three league matches, and Lionel Messi has three of them to push his La Liga-leading total to 19. Zlatan Ibrahimovich (who is suspended) has been off and on all season since coming to the Nou Camp from Inter Milan, which puts a lot of pressure on Messi to produce. Its a good thing hes the best player in the world right now.

Soccer pick: Barca

Defensive Matchups: Valencia vs Barca Picks

Valencia gave up four goals at Atletico Madrid on February 28th, and whats more is that two of their defenders, Carlos Marchena and Miguel, both received red cards in the match, and theyll miss this match as well. To make matters worse, David Navarro was sent off against Racing Santander. Do Valencia now have enough to keep up with Barca?

The Catalans sportsbook odds are factored on their ability to score at any time, but the Barca defense is underrated, allowing a La Liga-low 16 goals in the match. Carlos Puyol has been a rock in the middle of the Barca defense, while Gerard Pique is coming into his own at 23 years of age, and hell probably replace Puyol in the heart of the back four when Puyol, the Barca captain, retires.

Soccer pick: Barca

Notable Injuries: Valencia vs Barca Pickss

Bruno, Jeremy Mathieu, David Albelda, and Vicente should all miss this match through injury, and all but Vicente are defensive-minded players, which could really hurt them at Barca

Barca has no new injury woes.

Soccer pick: Barca

Totals: Valencia vs Barca Picks

Six of the last 10 meetings between these two have gone over the posted total, and given Valencias injury and suspension problems at the back, Barca could run wild. Valencia is also capable of scoring with Villa and Silva.

Pick: Over 2.5

Betting Prediction: Valencia vs Barca Picks

Barca is 11-1-0 at home this season, and theyve rolled Valencia at the Nou Camp in their last two meetings there, outscoring them 10-0. After two straight draws at Valencia, this series returns to Barcelona, and that bodes well for the home team, who will be able to abuse a patched-up Valencia defense. Even if they have no Ibrahimovich, they still have Thierry Henry to come off the bench, along with Messi, and the midfield duo of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Look for Barca to keep pace with Real Madrid with a big win here.

Free picks: Barca -213

Aston Villa was an online betting darkhorse to start the season, and theyll holding firm as they try to stay in the hunt for a Champions League spot. They may face some stiff resistance on Saturday when they head to Stoke City, and Stoke is a far better team at home than they are on the road. The crowd may have a bigger hand in soccer than in any other sport, and Stoke will ride their fans to a hard-fought draw.

Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks: Villa +120; Stoke +200; Draw +215
What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, March 13, 10:00 AM ET
Where Brittania Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Key Stat Each side has won one and drawn one of their three meetings

The Storyline: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

Villa is just four points out of a Champions League spot, and theyll be playing their first Premiership match since February 21st, when they beat Burnley 5-2 at home. Since then, theyve lost to Manchester United in the Carling Cup final, but theyve gotten past Crystal Palace and Reading in the FA Cup. Stoke were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea, and they were held to a 1-1 draw at Burnley on Wednesday. Stoke is 10 points behind Villa in 11th place, but theyve played the Villans well recently, and this is Villas first trip to the Brittania Stadium since August 2008, when they fell 3-2.

Offensive Matchups: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

Villa has scored 37 goals in the Premiership, but theyre coming off a four-goal haul at Reading in the FA Cup, with John Carew notching a hat trick. It would be good for Carew if he could keep that up in the league, as Gaby Agbonlahor leads the way with 11 goals, while Carew, James Milner and Ashley Young have four apiece. When Agbonlahor and Young are rampaging down the wings, that makes it much easier for Carew and Emile Heskey up front.

Stoke has scored 28 goals in the league this year, led by a team-high four from Tuncay Sanli, but its strange that James Beattie cant get a game in for Stoke with their scoring problems. Dave Kitson is preferred to Beattie when Stoke goes with two up front, but Beattie hasnt gotten on in three games, and in four of the last five. Their big threat comes from the long throw-ins of Rory Delap.

Soccer pick: Aston Villa

Defensive Matchups: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

Villa has allowed a league-low 21 goals, but theyve allowed four in their last two matches in cup competitions. They havent had a clean sheet for seven straight matches overall, and they seem to be having a problem against teams with speed on the flanks.

Stoke has given up 33 goals in the league, and the defense has just been inconsistent, but they fight hard. Robert Huth and Abdoulaye Faye are intimidating in the middle, but they dont have much speed and can be caught out of position, which isnt good for their sportsbook odds.

Soccer pick: Draw

Notable Injuries: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

Nigel Reo-Coker (ankle/foot) should be back by the end of the month, but not this week.

Ricardo Fuller (back) will be back soon as well, and Stoke badly needs another striker.

Soccer pick: Draw

Totals: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

Two of the three meetings between these two have gone over the posted total, and Villa has been in fine goal-scoring form, but theyve scored just 14 of their 37 goals on the road. Stoke has scored 20 goals at home as opposed to eight on the road. This should be a low-scoring affair

Pick: Under 2.5

Betting Prediction: Aston Villa vs Stoke Picks

The smart play is a draw here, as Villa showed last week at Reading that they can go into another teams stadium and turn on the style. But Stoke are a better team than Reading, and they always put up a good fight at home. Carew scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win for Villa at home on December 19th, but Stoke battled hard and were unfortunate to come away empty. Theyll snatch a point on Saturday thanks to their crowd and a battling sensibility.

Todd’s Pick: Draw +215

Online betting players know that not all good matches come from the top of the table; the teams at the bottom of the table have just as much to play for. West Ham and Bolton are two of those teams, and the two will clash in London this weekend. Bolton has struggled on the road, especially defensively, and West Ham have an in-form striker who will take advantage of them.

Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds: West Ham -135; Bolton +350; Draw +230
What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, March 6, 10:00 AM ET
Where: Upton Park, London, England
KeyStats: Bolton is unbeaten in five straight against West Ham

The Storyline: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Bolton sits just two points above the relegation zone in 15th place, and they bounced back from a 4-0 beating at the hands of Tottenham in the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at home over Wolves, another team in the relegation dogfight. West Ham arent much further ahead in 13th place, just one point ahead of Bolton, and they were thumped 3-0 at Manchester United last week. There is only eight points separating the bottom eight teams in the Premiership, and a win for either team would give them a little breathing room.

Offensive Matchups: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Bolton played seven matches in the month of February, scoring two goals, both at home. Their leading scorer, Ivan Klasic, hasnt scored in 2010, and only 12 of their 30 goals have come away from home, failing to score in five straight matches away from the Reebok.

West Ham were blanked against Manchester United, but they had scored six goals in their prior three matches, including a 3-0 shutout of Hull City. Carlton Cole has scored two of his last three games, and he managed to make it on to the pitch for the final few minutes of Englands 3-1 win over Egypt on Wednesday.

Soccer pick: West Ham

Defensive Matchups: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Boltons defense has been inconsistent since Gary Cahill went down with a blood clot in his arm early last month, which means that Zat Knight is the leader of the back four. Even though he scored against Wolves, hes not a good defender unless he has a good partner. Its a good thing Bolton has Jussi Jaaskelainen, who has inexplicably stayed at Bolton since 1997, even though hes had chances to go to bigger clubs

West Hams defense was carved apart at Manchester United, but better teams have had problems holding down United at Old Trafford. Matthew Upson earned a call-up to the England team on Wednesday, but was badly at fault for the Egypt goal. Upson was always tipped to be a big international star, but injuries and form have kept him out of the team. Teammate Robert Green was in between the sticks for England as well, and handled himself well.

Soccer pick: Draw

Notable Injuries: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Cahill (arm) wont be back for a couple of weeks, reportedly, which is a big blow to Boltons sportsbook chances.

Benni McCarthy (knee) is doing his best to get ready for the weekend.

Soccer pick: West Ham

Totals: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Seven of the last 10 meetings between these two have gone over the posted total, including the last three. West Ham has scored five goals in their last two games at home, but the defense doesnt inspire confidence, not if Upson plays like he did on Wednesday for England.

Pick: Over 2.5

Betting Prediction: Bolton vs West Ham Betting Odds

Bolton has won two and drawn one of their last four trips to Upton Park, but were not betting on them this time, not with the problems theyve been having with putting the ball in the back of the net. West Ham are far more prolific at home, and Knight will make a mistake on Cole at some point. Jaaskelainen has been great in goal for Bolton, but he cant do it on his own.

Free picks: West Ham -135

Online betting players will be in for one wild match-up in Rome this weekend, as AC Milan travels to face AS Roma in a clash of two top-three clubs in Serie A. Each side will be missing their leading scorer, but there are still plenty of attacking players that will take the pitch. With both trying to catch Inter Milan in the standings, nerves could creep into play, which will result in a draw.

Milan vs Roma Betting Odds: Roma +125; Milan +200; Draw +210
What: Soccer betting
When: Saturday, March 6, 2:45 PM ET
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
KeyStats: has won five and drawn two of their last 10 meetings with Milan

The Storyline: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

Its the beginning of a big week for Milan, who face Manchester United in the second leg of their Champions League tie next Wednesday, and theyve won three in a row since losing to United in the first leg at home. Roma was knocked out of the Europa League by Panathinaikos, and then drew at Napoli on Sunday. With a win, Roma can pull even with Milan, who sit in second in Serie A, and both are in comfortable positions to make the Champions League next year.

Offensive Matchups: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

Milans attack suffered a blow as Alexandre Pato, who scored twice in a 3-1 win over Atalanta, left that match with a thigh injury and wont play this weekend. This means Ronaldinho will have to be more clinical after missing a penalty late against Atalanta. This could also create more space for Marco Borriello, who returns from injury, or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who will be looking to make a start.

Roma has managed to stay afloat without captain Francesco Totti, who has been battling injuries over the last couple of months. Julio Baptista and Mirko Vucinic scored against Napoli, while John Arne Riise and Daniele De Rossi found the back of the net against Panathinaikos. Luca Toni has scored twice in four games after returning to Italy from Bayern Munich, but hes been injured.

Soccer pick: Draw

Defensive Matchups: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

The defense has improved since Alessandro Nesta returned from injury, but Manchester United showed that they can be exposed with speed. Milan is also going between Christian Abbiati and Dida in goal, and Gennaro Gattuso hasnt been as good as he normally is as the defensive midfielder in Milan.

Romas defense has been susceptible to lapses in concentration, like at home against Panathinaikos, when they gave up three goals in the last five minutes of the first half. They also gave up a last-minute penalty to give away two points against Napoli. Romas first mission in the summer should be to buy a center-back.

Soccer pick: Milan

Notable Injuries: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

Patos (thigh) knock is a major blow to Milans sportsbook odds, as he is their leading scorer and most clinical finisher. Milan is just hoping that hell be back for the second leg against United next week.

Totti (knee) has battled injuries all season, which is a shame as Italy heads into a World Cup year, and he has 10 goals in the 14 games hes played this year. With him, Roma can beat anyone in Europe.

Soccer pick: Draw

Totals: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

Even without Pato and Totti, these two can still put it in the back of the net, and seven of their last 10 have gone over the posted total, including Milans 2-1 win at home back in October. Both defenses have looked shaky lately, so were taking the over here.

Soccer pick: Over 2.5

Betting Prediction: Milan vs Roma Betting Odds

Roma has won five and drawn two of their last 10 against Milan, and theyre the favorites at home, where they are 11-0-2 in Serie A action. Milan has allowed the fewest away goals in Italy with 10, while Roma has scored 25 in the Eternal City. This will be a back-and-forth affair, and someone will likely notch a tying goal in the final five minutes of the match. Milan has more game-breakers, but Roma will be angry after losing to Panathinaikos at home.

Free picks: Draw +210

The Storyline: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Man City is tied with Tottenham in fourth place in the Premiership, which is for the final Champions League place in England. Chelsea sits atop the Premiership, just one point ahead of Manchester United. Both have cup ties on Wednesday (Chelsea in the Champions League at Inter Milan and former manager Jose Mourinho, Man City in the FA Cup at Stoke City), and depth will be play a big role in this match.

Offensive Matchups: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
The Man City attack has struggled lately, as Emmanuel Abedayor is their only healthy striker. Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz have been banged up, while Carlos Tevez had to go back to Argentina to attend to a family problem, although he should be back for Saturdays match. Man City didnt even look like scoring in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at home last week.
Chelsea is powered by Didier Drogba, who is in amazing form. Drogba scored both in a 2-0 win at Wolves last week, and he has six goals in four games since coming back from the African Cup of Nations. This makes up for a struggling Nicolas Anelka, who hasnt scored in four matches, and Chelsea will need him to step up if Frank Lampard doesnt recover from his virus.

Soccer pick: Draw

Defensive Matchups: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Man Citys defense has been up and down all season, and even though they kept a clean sheet against Liverpool, that was at home, and its not like the Reds are scaring anyone with their attack. It looks like the high-priced defense is still getting used to each other, but Jolean Lescott in particular hasnt looked good.
Since Mourinho, Chelseas sportsbook odds have focused around their defense, powered by captain John Terry. Despite his off-field problems, Terry is the best central defender in England and outside of a shaky showing in a loss at Everton two weeks ago, Terry hasnt looked out of sorts. Even with injuries to Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, Alex and midfielder Michael Essien, Chelseas back line has held firm.

Soccer pick: Chelsea

Notable Injuries: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Bellamy (knee) and Santa Cruz (knee) have been playing through their injuries, but with Tevez back, at least one will find themselves sitting out.
Lampard (virus), Deco (knee), Julian Belletti (knee), Essien (knee) and Bosingwa (knee) are all questionable, but Lampard is the most likely to play. Cole (ankle) and Alex (knee) are definitely out.

Soccer pick: Man City

Totals: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Six of the last 10 meetings between these two have gone under the posted total, but with a rampant Drogba and a shaky Man City defense at home, Chelsea may be able to beat the total by themselves.

Pick: Over 2.5

Betting Prediction: Man City vs Chelsea Betting Odds
Chelsea has dominated this matchup lately, winning eight and drawing of their last 10 against Man City. However, their lone loss came in the last meeting, when Shay Given stopped a Lampard penalty in the late minutes of a 2-1 win, and Chelsea would love to avenge that. Chelsea has turned Stamford Bridge into a fortress with 12 wins and a draw in 13 home matches this year, and Man City hasnt been very convincing on the road. Dont expect Man City to do their United neighbors any favors and hand Chelsea a loss.

Free picks: Chelsea -200

The Storyline: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Everton has beaten the top two teams in the league in their last two league games, along with a win over Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League, and they still have to go to Portugal for the second leg on Thursday. Tottenham is tied with Manchester City in the Premiership, and theyve been off since a 3-0 win at Wolves last weekend. With a win, Everton can close the gap between them and the rest of the league, as theyre seven points behind Aston Villa and Liverpool, who are one point behind Tottenham.

Offensive Matchups: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Evertons goal threat is Louis Saha, and hes even stayed healthy for most of the season. However, hes scored just two goals in his last five matches, and the same with Tim Cahill. Everton gets goals from everywhere, and getting Landon Donovan on loan has also created a spark for Everton.

Spurs let Robbie Keane go to Celtic on loan, but they still have Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, who both hope to be on the plane when England goes to South Africa in the World Cup. However, theyve been missing Aaron Lennon, the creative winger who is tied for third in assists in the Premiership, and hes no closer to being fit from a groin injury.

Soccer pick: Tottenham

Defensive Matchups: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Everton isnt as tight defensively as it would think, and although Leighton Baines has had a good season, hes more effective going forward than going back. The Everton defense also took a shot when midfielder Marouane Fellaini was lost for the season with an ankle injury, and he was starting to regain the form that made him the teams Young Player of the Year last season. Hes destructive in front of the back four, and hes a fine passer as well.
Tom Huddlestone holds the same role that Fellaini does, but he doesnt make as many reckless challenges, and his passing sets off Spurs counterattack. However, Ledley King is injured yet again, leaving Michael Dawson as the only healthy central defender. Spurs are used to King being injured, and you have to wonder when theyll end things with their club skipper.

Soccer pick: Draw

Notable Injuries: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Cahill (groin) left the Sporting Lisbon game early, which isnt good for Evertons sportsbook hopes, and Fellaini (ankle) is also out. But Phil Senderos (back) and Phil Jagielka (knee) could be available for Everton.
King (leg) joins Jermain Jenas (groin), Lennon (groin), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist) on the sidelines. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (groin) could be ready, though.

Soccer pick: Draw

Totals: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Six of the last 10 between these two have gone under the posted total, but with both facing possible injuries at the back, this could be a high-scoring affair, in soccer terms, anyway.

Pick: Over 2.5

Betting Prediction: Everton vs Tottenham Betting Odds
Tottenham are the favorites at home, but Everton has won their last three trips to White Hart Lane, including a 1-0 win in November 2008. These two played to a 2-2 draw back in December at Everton, but this should go Spurs way. Everton used a lot of energy to beat Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester United, and now they dont have Cahill for the return game in Portugal, or this game. Meanwhile Spurs have just the league to worry about, and theyve had a week off, while Everton has to turn around and play the early game on Sunday after a Thursday game.

Free picks: Tottenham

The Arsenal manager refused to confirm whether he was willing to make an exception to his rule of offering only a one-year contract to players aged over 30. Gallas will turn 33 this summer.

I am not concerned, Wenger said. We have not found an agreement yet. I meet his agents again next Thursday and we will try to find a solution. I would like to keep all that secret about contract lengths. I feel I have to respect both parties and not to come out about the details of negotiations.

He is out of contract and can talk to whom he wants. I do not know if he has spoken to Roma. He is speaking to us and our desire is to keep him here. I think he wants to stay here.

Gallas and Cesc Fabregas, who has a hamstring injury, will miss the match away to Hull City on Saturday with a calf injury. Alexandre Song is suspended, while Tomas Rosicky is a doubt with a groin strain. Wenger and Arsenal have history with Hull in recent matches, notably last season when Fabregas was accused, and then cleared, of spitting at Brian Horton, the Hull assistant manager. This season, Samir Nasri was accused of stamping on Richard Garcia and was booked for shoving Stephen Hunt when Arsenal won 3-0.

Wenger denied there was animosity between the clubs. We do not focus on bad blood, he said. We just focus on our game and try to play well. If you look at what happened there was not a lot, nobody has been injured.

There was a little brawl at some stage where we got punished, them as well, but the game was not dirty. I feel there is respect. We just try to play football. We have to focus on what is the most important, which is that the people who pay to come to watch a game get something for their money. That is what we always try to do. I respect everybody in life, and I dont make any special issue of that.