The way the East looks after a month, a 2-0 sweep for either Toronto or Hamilton would be a huge advantage in getting home field in the playoffs.

With Toronto 2-1 and Hamilton 1-2, first place after Week 5 is most likely on the line too. Monday’s game at Tim Hortons Field is also the Ti-Cats’ 2021 home opener. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST.

CFL Odds and Betting

Hamilton took 2019’s Labour Day matchup against the Argos by a score of 38-27, meaning the over easily hit. It contributed to a 7-3 over record in the last 10 Toronto­–Hamilton games, with the Ti-Cats averaging 33 points a game in that span.

Will that average keep up? Maybe cool the jets, considering Hamilton has scored double-digit points in just one of their three outings this season. Toronto’s also looked quite stout on defence in 2021, allowing the third-fewest yards per game and ranking first in opponents’ second-down conversion rate.

Hamilton’s failed to cover in just three of their last 11 home games though, and Toronto’s dropped 10 of their last 11 games at Hamilton. Sports Interaction has the Tabbies as a 2-and-a-half-point favourite with the over-under listed at 44.5.

Toronto Argonauts

An impromptu bye week wasn’t necessarily what the Argos needed, given they really found their groove when taking the field last in Week 3. On the plus side they’ve got to study up against rival Hamilton who avoided a disastrous 0-3 start last week.

Going back to Week 3, the Argos snapped a Winnipeg six-game winning streak, knocking off the most recent Grey Cup champs 30-23. Nick Arbuckle threw for 310 yards and a touchdown in the win, and it’s now his team after Week 3 being his first start as an Argo.

Offensive linemen Dariusz Bladek and Philip Blake, as well as receiver Ricky Collins Jr. all missed Thursday’s practice due to COVID-19 protocol.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

It appears it’ll be Dane Evans under centre again for Hamilton Monday. Starting in place of an injured Jeremiah Masoli, Evans found rookie Steven Dunbar seven times for 95 yards and a score in Week 4’s win at Montreal. That said, 2019 MOP Brandon Banks had just two grabs for five yards and has only 112 receiving yards through three games.

Then parlay Hamilton’s protection struggles with Toronto’s herd of front-seven talent and it sure points to an upset in the making. If Arbuckle can play safe football and ride his two-headed rushing attack in John White and D.J. Foster, it’s tough to see anyone knocking off the Argos.

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