Week 7 in the CFL kicks off with a pair of games on Thursday night, beginning with a clash between the Montreal Alouettes and Ottawa Redblacks.
Oddsmakers are expecting a close game between these struggling teams with CFL betting lines opening with the Als as 2-point road favourites. Here are our best free Alouettes vs. Redblacks picks and predictions for July 21.
Alouettes vs Redblacks odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
This line hit the board with the Alouettes at -2 and the total at 47.5. As of noon ET on Tuesday, the line has shifted to Montreal -2.5 with the Over/Under up to 48.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until kickoff and be sure to check out the full CFL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Alouettes vs Redblacks Week 7 predictions
Predictions made on 7/19/2022 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
Alouettes vs Redblacks game info
• Location: TD Place Stadium, Ottawa, ON
• Date: Thursday, July 21, 2022
• Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Alouettes at Redblacks betting preview
Weather
Key injuries
Alouettes: Chris Ackie LB (Questionable), William Stanback RB (Out), Sean Jamieson C (Out), Greg Reid DB (Out).
Redblacks: Cleyon Laing DT (Questionable), Abdul Kanneh DB (Out), Praise Martin-Oguike DL (Out), Justin Howell DB (Out), Jeremiah Masoli QB (Out), Money Hunter DB (Out), Frankie Griffin LB (Out), Ryan Davis WR (Out), Tevaun Smith WR (Out), Kwaku Boateng DE (Out), Randy Richards OL (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Redblacks are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games while the Alouettes are 20-8 ATS in their previous 28 contests on the road. Find more CFL betting trends for Alouettes vs. Redblacks.
Alouettes vs Redblacks picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Redblacks are 0-5 and coming off yet another close defeat after losing 25-23 to the Ti-Cats last Saturday. Ottawa had a lead until late in the fourth quarter and still had a chance to win on a last-second field goal, but it fell short.
It was a competitive game for a Redblacks team that was playing its first game with Caleb Evans under center after losing Jeremiah Masoli to an injury in Week 5. Evans started several games as a rookie in 2021 and had the same spotty play as last week — hit-and-miss in the passing game but a threat on the ground.
The big issue was Ottawa's banged-up secondary, which surrendered 369 yards through the air in that contest and ranks last in the league with 10.5 yards allowed per pass attempt this season.
That's a bad sign for Redblacks fans with the Als and Trevor Harris coming to town. Harris has been throwing too many interceptions in the last couple of weeks but he's a proven veteran that won the Grey Cup with Ottawa in 2016. Harris completed 73.1% of his passes for 241 yards last week and has a bevy of talented targets including Eugene Lewis and Reggie White Jr.
The Alouettes dropped to 1-4 after losing 32-31 to the Elks last Thursday in their first game since firing head coach Khari Jones and defensive co-ordinator Barron Miles. That said, they had a 31-12 lead until halfway through the third quarter before defensive back Wesley Sutton committed three pass interference penalties that led to touchdowns.
Sutton was also repeatedly burned by Elks wideout Kenny Lawler, but the Montreal DB is typically much better and he'll have an easier time on Thursday with Evans throwing the ball.
Another area where the Als have the edge is on special teams, where Chandler Worthy has been one of the league's top returners while their kick-coverage teams are allowing the fewest yards per punt and kick return in the CFL.
The short trip to Ottawa has rarely affected the Als, who are 5-0 SU and ATS in their last five games at TD Place. The Redblacks are also on a short week after playing on Saturday night. With the spread sitting at less than a field goal, we'll back the faves with the better quarterback and healthier secondary.
Prediction: Alouettes -2 (-110 at DraftKings)
Over/Under analysis
The Over cashed in the Redblacks game last week but that was just the second time the Over has hit in their last 11 contests. This is a team that doesn't have a whole lot of offensive weapons, and even with Masoli at the helm, they had a tough time converting in the red zone. Now they have the inconsistent Evans, who has completed just 58.7% of his passes for six touchdowns and 12 interceptions so far in his career.
These teams are also last and second-last in the league in first downs per game. The Als are second-last in the league in net offense with 315.8 yards per game while the Redblacks are second-last in scoring with 19.2 ppg — and that was with the strong-armed Masoli airing it out for the first five weeks of the season.
Another reason to like the Under in this game is the possibility of messy weather on Thursday, with 23 km/h (14 mph) winds and a 70% chance of showers currently in the forecast.
Prediction: Under 48 (-110 at bet365)
Best bet
It's been an extremely disappointing season for both teams, but the Als are the more talented outfit and should be a bit more settled in their second game being led by interim head coach (and GM) Danny Macioca. Add in the rest and QB advantage and this looks like a very tempting number to back the road faves on.
This line has shifted to -2.5 at most books but some are still offering the Als at -2 and with money likely coming in on them, you'll want to bet this line now.
Pick: Alouettes -2 (-110 at DraftKings)
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