The Montreal Alouettes are quickly falling in the East at 2-4 and it won’t get easier in Week 9 when they visit Tim Hortons Field Saturday afternoon. The 4-3 Ti-Cats are undefeated at home on the season, and are hoping to get some key contributors back.

Receiver Bralon Addison is one possible name — the star playmaker’s yet to play this season but has come off the six-game injured list. Of course, the key position to watch for Hamilton remains quarterback. David Watford’s won two straight games, but Jeremiah Masoli is practicing and may re-take his starter’s spot in Week 9.

Kickoff in Hamilton goes at 4:00 p.m. EST.

CFL Odds and Betting

Saturday will be the second clash in 2021 between these Eastern Division foes. Hamilton came out on top at Montreal in Week 4 by a score of 27-10. Dane Evans, who is on the Tabbies’ six-game injured list, started under centre in the win, while Vernon Adams Jr. had a season low 171 passing yards for the Als.

The Ti-Cats have taken 13 of their last 16 games when hosting the Alouettes, with the under hitting in seven of those last 10. This season Montreal is 3-1 to the over on the road, but six of Hamilton’s seven games this year have gone under. Hamilton’s health should dictate their offensive success in Week 9, but for now the CFL odds have the Ti-Cats as 2.5-point favourites to win, with the total listed at 48.5.

Montreal Alouettes

In Montreal, Adams Jr. got banged up in a Week 8 loss at Toronto but still managed to have his offence put up 27 points. William Stanback is averaging 6.4 yards a pop on 97 carries, so expect the Als to rely on their terrific running back. The Ti-Cats are solid against the run, but so are the Argos and look what happened last week (178 yards on 21 carries for Montreal).

The Als still lost Friday because of an inability to make defensive plays. Montreal ranks eighth in points against per game, and dead last in second down conversion rate on defence this year.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

While third-string quarterback Watford is undefeated since taking over the starting reigns, his offence hasn’t looked too special. Hamilton’s elite defence has scored in both of Watford’s starts while the offence found the end zone just once in two games.

A lot of their struggles have to do with key injuries, which makes all of Addison, Brandon Banks and now offensive tackle Chris Van Zeyl practicing a big deal — along with Masoli. Hamilton finished 15-3 in 2019 with most of these guys in their prime. If they return to the lineup Saturday, the Tabbies become a scary team again. If not, offence will be hard to come by.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Alouettes vs. Tiger-Cats?