Pacquiao vs. Algieri Odds: Fight Lines and Scorecard Predictions for Title Bout

Manny Pacquiao will put his WBO welterweight title on the line against undefeated American Chris Algieri on Saturday. It's a key bout for both fighters for completely different reasons, which should make for a terrific atmosphere in Macau.

For Pacquiao, this is another fight in which he's under pressure to prove he's still among the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet. He faced plenty of questions after a pair of losses in 2012, but he rebounded nicely by defeating Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley.

Algieri is in the opposite position. He's the owner of a 20-0 career record, but he's never been tested like he will be this time around. The New York native is trying to reach the mountaintop where Pac-Man has been for so long.

The odds for the main event highlight the difference in the fighters' track records:

Boxer	Opening Line	Current Line
Manny Pacquiao	-1250	-700
Chris Algieri	+650	+450

Even though the lines have moved in favor of Algieri since they opened, the overall picture still shows the type of uphill battle the underdog faces if he wants to pull off the upset.

Despite that, Nigel Collins of ESPN gives him credit for helping bring added attention to the fight:

If both boxers perform at their peak, Pacquiao wins; Algieri simply won't be able to contain the combination of power and speed Pac-Man possesses when he's in top form, and he's been trending back in that direction over his past few outings.

He's not taking anything for granted, though. Pacquiao explained what his lesser-known opponent brings to the table in a piece for ESPN:

"

Chris Algieri poses many puzzles for me to solve. In terms of his height and reach, only Antonio Margarito surpasses him in the scope of opponents I have faced. Algieri is also the most scientific, fluid and fittest fighter I have ever opposed. All of those factors, plus he is five years younger than me, make him the most dangerous opponent of my career.

"

Though some of those remarks—most notably calling him the most dangerous opponent he's faced—are just part of building hype, there's also some truth in there. Algieri is on the rise and will be looking to make a name for himself.

The question is, does he have enough to truly trouble Pac-Man? Of his 20 wins, only eight have come by knockout. He's a solid all-around fighter, but outboxing one of the best there is for 12 rounds is a tough ask.

Ronnie Nathanielsz of Yahoo Philippines Sports doesn't think it's possible:

All told, Pacquiao should be able to control the fight. He knows Algieri is likely to come out swinging hard looking for that one punch that could change the complexion of that fight. As long as he avoids that, he holds the clear advantage.

Look for the Filipino superstar to start taking control around the third or fourth round. From there, he will gradually increase the pressure and really start pushing for the knockout after the halfway mark. He hasn't had one since 2009.

That should change on Saturday.

Scorecard Prediction: 69-64 Pacquiao before eighth-round knockout