In the past two weeks, the Calgary Stampeders took out the last two undefeated teams in the Canadian Football League. The first of those two teams was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who will look to get some revenge tonight as they host their West Division rivals for a Friday night fracas at Princess Auto Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).
Who will come out on top in this rematch between two of this season’s Grey Cup favorites? Odds from top online sportsbooks give the home team an edge, but the Stampeders will be riding high after two impressive wins.
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Confidence High in Calgary After Successive Upsets
Last season, the Stampeders finished with the CFL’s worst record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
After stomping the Blue Bombers 37-16 at home two weeks ago, they went on the road and upset the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-10 last weekend, taking out the league’s last two undefeated teams in impressive fashion.
Through Week 6, the 4-1 Stampeders are atop the West Division standings, and after entering the season with some of the lowest Grey Cup winner odds, they are making a push to be considered one of the favorites, along with the Blue Bombers (3-1), Roughriders (4-1), and Montreal Alouettes (4-2).
The next several weeks will be telling for the Stampeders. After tonight’s tilt in Winnipeg, three of their next four games are at home against the Alouettes (next Thursday), Blue Bombers (August 9), and Roughriders (August 23). By the end of that stretch, we should know whether they are a real contender or if they are a pretender.
Calgary Stampeders vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Stampeders | +4.5 (-110) | +186 | Over 51.5 (-110) |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +4.5 (-110) | -220 | Under 51.5 (-110) |
Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers Betting Trends
- The Blue Bombers have won seven straight home games against the Stampeders. Winnipeg’s last home loss to Calgary was a 29-10 loss on July 7, 2017.
- The Blue Bombers are 9-1 in their last ten home games dating back to last season. Their lone home loss in that stretch is a 14-11 loss to the Toronto Argonauts in their last regular season home game of last season.
- Calgary is 2-0 SU and ATS on the road this season.
- Winnipeg is 2-0 SU and ATS at home this season.
- The Stampeders are 4-0 SU and ATS as an underdog this season.
Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers Prediction and Picks
When these two teams met in Calgary two weeks ago, the game was essentially over early as the Stampeders led 29-6 at halftime. To emphasize how impressive the win was, it is tied for the biggest margin of victory in the league this season and one of just seven (through 24 games) with a margin of victory of 17 or more points.
The Blue Bombers had a bye last week, so they have had two weeks to sit and stew and prepare for the rematch. A rousing response should be expected tonight. Confidence should certainly be high for the Stampeders, but Princess Auto Stadium is a fortress for the Blue Bombers, both against Calgary and overall.
Look for Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros to bounce back tonight after throwing two pick-sixes and for Winnipeg to be much more clinical offensively after their lone touchdown in Calgary came with only two and a half minutes left. In their first two home games this season, they scored 34 and 36 points and won by double digits. And it is worth noting that even in the loss to Calgary, they still had 29 first downs and 408 total yards offensively.
After downing the top two teams in the West Division, it’s hard to see the Stampeders being blown out in this matchup, even if the Blue Bombers would love to give what they received in Calgary. But expect the home team to cover and to put some points on the board while doing so.
Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers Prediction: Blue Bombers to win
Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers Picks: 1) Blue Bombers -4.5 2) Stampeders/Blue Bombers over 51.5