Oddsmakers have pencilled in the home side RedBlacks as slight 1.5-point favourites.

Betting Analysis

These two teams met a little over a month (August 17) ago in Winnipeg, where the RedBlacks pounded the Bombers 44-21.Trevor Harris had 361 yards in passing, and William Powell rushed for 106 yards in the win. The RedBlacks defence sacked Bombers quarterback four times in the win.

Since the beginning of the 2015 season, these two teams have met seven times (RedBlacks lead 4-3 SU) during the regular season, and once in a pre-season game (Ottawa 18-14, 2016). Entering this contest the Blue Bombers have won three out of the last four games against the Redblacks, sweeping last season’s home and home series, and winning two straight in Ottawa.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers are coming off their most complete win of the season, in perhaps the most critical time of season. Last week they marched into Edmonton, and walked out with a convincing 30-3 victory over the Eskimos. With the win, they are riding a two-game winning streak. The defence was the big story in the game, as they held the CFL’s leading passer and reigning MOP Mike Reilly to just 164 passing yards – his lowest total, by far this season.

Defensive captain Adam Bighill led all Bombers with nine tackles, while Jovan Santos-Knox registered four tackles and two sacks. Defensive back Kevin Fogg recorded three tackles, recovered a fumble, as well as intercepted and ran back the ball 73-yards for a touchdown in the game. The match-up will also provide a head-to-head matchup between the two best running backs in the league. Bombers RB Andrew Harris currently sits in second place in that category (1101 yards), just 40 yards back of RedBlacks running back William Powell.

Ottawa RedBlacks

The RedBlacks should be well rested coming off a bye week. Previous to that, they were successful against the Eskimos on home turf (28-15). The RedBlacks currently sit in first place in the CFL’s East division and have a two point lead over second place Hamilton. They are 4-2 at TD Place Stadium, owning the best home record in the division as well. Quarterback Trevor Harris has been consistently a better than average pivot in this league, currently fourth in touchdown passes, and fourth in passing yards. He has a great security blanket in running back William Powell who has 1141 rushing yards (leads the league).

On defence, a pair of ball hawks in the secondary make opposition quarterbacks second-guess themselves at times. Jonathan Rose leads the CFL with five interceptions, while teammate Rico Murray is tied for second with four interceptions.

Blue Bombers vs. RedBlacks Prediction