Here at OddsTrader, we look at two of this week’s CFL games between Toronto Argonauts vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks.
Read on for the latest CFL odds and our free expert betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Toronto Argonauts
Saturday, August 06, 2022 – 07:00 PM EDT at BMO Field
How Are the Toronto Argonauts Doing?
It was an unexpected reverse for the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, who lost at home to the Ottawa Redblacks, who were searching for that elusive first CFL win of their year. I mentioned several weeks ago that discipline amongst CFL teams is key, and it appears on Sunday the Argonauts lost theirs when composure went out of the window in Toronto.
Argo’s head coach, Ryan Dinwiddie was unhappy with the lack of discipline by his charges, when he said, “We’ve got to find a way to police ourselves. The only way I know how to fix it sometimes is that sometimes someone’s got to go”. He went on to lament them further saying, “When things don’t go our way and we act like children and have temper tantrums, then we let our teammates down”.
Players to Highlight:
- The two main culprits of this were defensive lineman, Wynton McManis and Chris Edwards and both may face the chop this week.
- McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Toronto’s quarterback had a poor completion rate, barely above 60% despite 340 yards thrown and that could be described as pivotal towards his team’s demise.
How Are the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Doing?
There’s a certain level of expectation in Hamilton after the last two Grey Cup final defeats. Hamilton was pretty shocked therefore when this year’s campaign started with four straight losses, but the signs have been encouraging in the last three games with two wins and a narrow loss to the BC Lions.
The Ticats defence held the Alouettes in check until the final quarter of the last game win. They looked solid in the opening three quarters but threatened to shoot themselves in the foot during the poor final quarter as has been their want this year.
Players to Highlight:
- With a completion rate over 70% for the quarterback, Caleb Evans was a solid display to set the foundations for the win with the defence.
- Wide-receiver, Steven Dunbar Jr. excelled again with his fifth touchdown of the campaign after a 40-yard run and is fast becoming crucial with these pivotal weeks ahead.
Tiger-Cats vs. Argonauts: Betting Prediction
With Hamilton seemingly on the up and up in recent weeks, I’m taking them to beat the ill-disciplined Toronto Argonauts who have questions to answer this week at home.
CFL Pick: Hamilton Tiger-Cats ML (+110) at Bet365
Edmonton Elks vs. British Columbia Lions
Saturday, August 06, 2022 – 10:00 PM EDT at BC Place
How Are the BC Lions Doing?
The BC Lions are proving tough to beat this Grey Cup campaign. Last week’s quick turnaround of a first-quarter deficit against the Saskatchewan Roughriders was the perfect illustration of how they are growing as a team.
The Lions made short work of a 1-10 first-quarter deficit vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders. They fell 4-17 behind during the second quarter before posting 28 unanswered points.
There’s no slight at the poor start against Saskatchewan who was quick out of the blocks and managed 2 sacks against the Lions who previously had only allowed 4 all season long.
Players to Highlight:
- Star quarterback, Nathan Rourke continues to shine and importantly responded to the pressure applied by the Roughriders last week, posting 336 yards, 2 touchdowns, and importantly a completion rate of over 80%.
- We can expect the Lions to be strengthened further in the coming weeks, maybe starting with this week as receiver Bryan Burnham is due to return.
How Are the Edmonton Elks Doing?
The Edmonton Elks will need every bit of help they can get this week in Vancouver. We know how dreadful their home form has been for two seasons now so it’s perversely a plus that they are on the road. Coming off a bye week can only be a positive too, but still, a huge task awaits them.
Head coach, Chris Jones has become rather scathing about the home-field form of his team, stating, “We’re not smart enough or disciplined enough football team to win games when it matters”.
Amazingly, to help understand his frustration we only need to look, at how the Elks registered 87 more yards on offence than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in their last game, that they lost 10-24.
There’s no doubt, that the winless run at home at the Commonwealth Stadium going back to October 12th, 2019, has created mental shackles that are affecting this team badly. Let’s not forget they’ve won two on the road from four this campaign so maybe the Elks need a sports psychologist or voodoo doctor to break the curse.
Elks vs. Lions: Betting Prediction
It’s a good thing the Elks are away this week, otherwise, they’d have had no chance. What a bizarre statement but a true one currently.
With that in mind, it creates a problem for the best sportsbooks and perhaps the spread of -12 appears on the large size but don’t forget this exact fixture ended 59-15 to the Lions in early June.
Still, the 2-touchdown spread isn’t tempting enough so I’m going to trust the BC Lions to cover with Bet365.
CFL Pick: BC Lions -12 (-110) at Bet365
