The Canadian Football League will reach its 9th Round next week and we will transport ourselves to the district of Regina, the Mosaic Stadium and the local Roughriders, who, on Aug 02, at 23:00 GMT will host the Alouettes of Montreal. It will be a fight between the leaders of the East Division and the team currently holding 2nd place at the West.
A league of no clear favorites
Looking at the records of the two divisions, it’s easy to notice that the two teams leading each, are not what we would call «solid candidates» for the title. Montreal show a record of 5 wins 2 losses which can easily be matched by Hamilton following at 4 and 2 respectively, in the East. Similarly, it’s 5 wins for Calgary and Saskatchewan in the West, only the latter have only 1 loss vs the 2 of the leaders.
So, if the home team of the match in our discussion win over the Alouettes, then, in all likelihood, they will also be the new leaders of the West division. Which makes for a strong motive. However, there’s a similarly strong incentive for the visitors. It’s an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and Hamilton. Therefore, we can expect a pitched battle with all hands-on-deck and all guns blazing.
Just as easy to win or to lose
And that goes for both sides. 0.714 PCT for either with +33 for the visitors and +68 for the hosts on the point differential. Effectively, we are looking at two rather equal sides. Which makes it useless to even discuss about the early odds now. They depict that 50-50 of the equation anyway. What will actually shape the final offers will be the results of Hamilton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Edmonton. They reason being that they have one less match than the rest. Winning that match, may result in quite a number of changes that will result in new considerations.
We will get back to the discussion for the confrontation next week. By then, we will have more data to work with and more pieces of information to glean clues out of. Those will become the basis of the recommendation that we will make to the punters that will open an account at the best betting platform and head our advice.
Update
As expected Hamilton got their 5th win, matched Montreal at 5 and 2 and went on top of the East Division with a +3 differential (36 vs 33). On the other hand, Saskatchewan is now 6 and 1 and the clear leaders of the West Division, one win away from Calgary. Based on these results, it should not be a surprise that the Roughriders now enjoy the advantage on the odds being offered @1.63 to win, while the Alouettes only get @2.36.
But, there’s always a but…
Looking at other odds for this match, we have @1.86 for a +3 Asian Handicap for Montreal, @1.97 for ta -3 AH for the hosts, @1.90 for over 49.5 points, @1.95 for under. These prices show one thing. That it will be tight and there is no clear favorite. It is just as easy for the offenses to dominate and score freely, as it is for the defenses to stop their opponents and keep the points low.
While it doesn’t make too much of a difference in which position teams are when it’s time for the playoffs, we believe that the Montreal Alouettes are with their backs to the wall. Not because they stand to lose the 2nd spot to either Toronto or Ottawa, both being too far behind, as much as it is that a loss will lead them to a disadvantage at the playoffs.
Therefore, we will take a risk here and suggest to those of you who decide to open an account at the best betting platform , to place a bet on the victory for the visitors.