posted June 6, 2008 at 19:00 EST in Other Articles

Saturday evenings match-up between the (10-3) Chicago Rush and (7-6) Cleveland Gladiators gives AFL bettors the opportunity to take part in a crucial non-conference clash that holds enormous playoff ramifications for the home team. The Chicago Rush dropped its second straight game ATS last weekend against the Kansas City Brigade when they grossly failed to cover the 15-point spread. Chicago had to fight back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to eek out the 52-47 SU victory. With only three games to go in the regular season, Chicago needs just one more win or a loss by the San Jose Sabercats to clinch homefield advantage throughout the Arena Football League playoffs. Chicago’s struggled throughout the last couple weeks with basically nothing to play for going 1-1 SU and 0-2 ATS, and a huge test awaits them Saturday night where they’ll put their 4-2 SU and 2-3-1 ATS road marks on the line. As for the Gladiators, they lost another tough one in a non-covering online betting affair with the Dallas Desperados last week. The SU and ATS loss was their second in a row, and they currently stand 6-6-1 ATS on the year. They now sit on the outside looking into the playoffs after New York got the best of Colorado last Monday night. What they do have going for them is the fact that two of their final three regular season games come within the comfy confines of their own arena where they’re a solid 4-2 SU and 3-2-1 ATS.

The Chicago Rush had already clinched the Central Division of the American Conference weeks ago, and already secured a spot in the second season with only home field advantage yet to be determined. Cleveland sits four games in back of the Dallas Desperados for the top spot in the Eastern Division of the National Conference. This AFL Week 15 match-up between the Rush and Gladiators will be the sixth time these franchises have met. They last met back in 2006 when the Gladiators were still stationed in Las Vegas. Chicago pasted them that day by a 67-47 final count, and in the process easily covered the three-point spread. Chicago is yet to lose to the Gladiator franchise going a perfect 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS. It’s been a high scoring series as well with the over cashing in four of the previous five meetings.

Oddsmakers installed the Rush 4.5-points better than the hosting Gladiators with the ‘total’ set at 108. BetUS.com offers all the Week 15 Arena Football lines, which includes this crucial non-conference clash.

Even though Chicago is 6-2 SU its L/8 games this season, they’re a poor 2-5-1 ATS during that span. They haven’t treated their betting backers well on the road either only cashing tickets in 1 of their L/5 overall. However, Cleveland has already knocked off New York, Philadelphia, and Orlando as home underdogs this season, and come into tonight’s game a moneymaking 6-4 ATS as an underdog in ‘08. They really let last weeks game against the Desperados get away from them in the fourth quarter, and will no doubt look to get back on track in a must win game to improve their chances of qualifying for the second season. This game will be televised live on FSN Ohio and Comcast Chicago, so plop down in front of the tube and take in what should be another competitive match-up.

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