2023 CFL Semifinals Odds Preview: Have We Just Seen These Matchups?
Rematches Could Be a Different Story This Saturday
CFL Semifinals Odds Favor Hosts
With just nine teams in the CFL, it’s common to see repeat matchups within a few weeks of each other. That’s what we have here when Hamilton and Calgary visit Montreal and Vancouver (BC), respectively, to start the CFL playoffs. The CFL semifinals odds favor the hosts in what will be the fourth meeting between each. It could be a straightforward victory for favorites or we get upsets because it’s the playoffs. And they hit differently.
CFL Week 21 Review: Favorites Sweep in a Meaningless Set-Up
We have some meaningful CFL football games this Saturday. But last week was just like the preseason. All six matchups did not matter as the CFL playoffs had been decided. Hence, the oddsmakers took their sweet time opening betting lines. Still, all three favorites won their respective matchups and went 2-0-1 against the spread (ATS).
The bookies also set the totals to be relatively low. That’s why two of the three matchups went over their totals. Winnipeg dropped 36 points against Calgary despite starting its backup quarterbacks. Toronto also edged Ottawa 27-22 to tie the regular-season record for wins (16) while also improving to 11-4-0 ATS.
As for Hamilton and Montreal, these outfits played a competitive match that ended with the latter on top: 22-20. They each went with multiple quarterbacks but may settle for their “real” starters this week.
🏈 Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs Montreal Alouettes 🏈
Day/Time:
Location: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, QC
Montreal won the “dress rehearsal” against Hamilton although the latter either pushed or covered the spread (depending on what line you got). Still, the CFL semifinals odds favor Montreal by a similar margin at 2.5 points. The Alouettes have won six straight games and are 5-0-1 ATS in recent meetings with Hamilton.
The total has also gone under in eight of their last 10 meetings. Shawn Lemon and Montreal’s defense have been red-hot and are the main reason why Montreal has won five straight games. They’ve allowed an average of just 12.5 points per game if we discount last week’s matchup.
As for the “Tabbies”, they have mainly been underdogs this season. Since losing to Montreal as a slight favorite back in June 23, Hamilton has gone 8-6 (9-4-1 ATS) as an underdog. This even includes an upset over BC as a 12-point dog. It’s not a crazy CFL prediction to have Hamilton pulling this off given what it’s done thus far.
🏈 Calgary Stampeders vs BC Lions 🏈
Day/Time:
Location: BC Place, Vancouver, BC
The later game is less of a competitive one between the Stampeders and Lions. That is, if we take the CFL semifinals odds as it is: 6.5 points in favor of BC. We’re entirely discounting how Calgary went into BC Place and smoked the Lions 41-16 just two weeks ago.
Calgary forced five turnovers from the Lions including one from Vernon Adams Jr., who will start this game against the Stampeders. The former CFL East All-Star could just win the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award for BC as he set career bests in his 18 games. But this is his biggest test, especially as he deals with a knee injury.
The Lions are just 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games. They have failed to cover in their last five home games. However, they did blow Calgary out 37-9 in their last home game before Week 20. Keep an eye on the CFL news regarding Adams’s health as it could be what decides this game. If he’s himself, this could be a high-scoring game as history – seven straight overs on the total for BC – and the 49.5 total indicate.
For CFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
