Blue Bombers vs. Elks Prediction, Odds and Props for Aug. 21: Round 2 Clash in the West

In a West Division matchup on Friday night, the Edmonton Elks host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, whom they beat earlier in the season on the road. In this Blue Bombers vs. Elks prediction, we will preview the division matchup, break down the latest odds, and give you our value prop picks.

Winnipeg (5-4) ended a two-game losing streak in their last game, beating the winless Ottawa Redblacks. They are in third place in the West Division, and earlier this season, in Week 4 at home, they lost to the Elks 23-18.

Edmonton had also lost two in a row before a blowout win in their last game. They are atop the West Division and are 4-1 at home.

Canadian sportsbooks have Edmonton as a 4.5-point favorite with the total sitting at 59.5.

Blue Bombers Looking for a First 

At 5-4 this season, all of Winnipeg’s wins have come against teams that currently have a losing record.

In their last game, the Blue Bombers kept Ottawa winless with a 33-21 home win. While they had fewer overall yards (305-333), they were more balanced, held the Redblacks to just 27 rushing yards, and were 3-for-3 in the red zone.

Zach Collaros made his return in the last game after missing almost two months with a neck injury and was 21 for 31 for 222 yards with no TDs and no INTs. Brady Oliveira rushed for 74 yards and a TD and was one of three players with at least 79 receiving yards.

Oliveira ranks third in the league in rushing yards, and while he was held out of practice this week because of an ankle injury, he is expected to play.

Winnipeg has a tall task tonight, facing an Edmonton defence that leads the league this season, holding opponents to 26 ppg.

The Blue Bombers have been less than stellar on the offensive side of the ball this season, ranking third-to-last in both scoring (26.3 ppg) and yards per game (349.2).

Almost Perfect at Home, and Perfect at Home 

While Edmonton is almost perfect at home at 4-1, they have covered the spread in all five of their home games. Their lone home loss was by two points to a Saskatchewan team that is 6-3 and in second place in the West Division.

After losing two in a row to Saskatchewan and Montreal, who have the best record in the CFL, and giving up 76 points, they got back to playing solid defence in their last game, a 42-12 home blowout win over Toronto.

In the win over Toronto, the Elks outgained them 431 yards to 287 yards and rushed for 158 yards while only giving up 45 rushing yards. Cody Fajardo passed for 301 yards with a TD and no picks, and also rushed for 50 yards, Javon Leake rushed for 58 yards, and at least four Edmonton players had 55 receiving yards.

Blue Bombers vs. Elks Prediction 

Elks to cover the spread Sports Interaction, -4.5

Both teams are coming off a win after losing two in a row, and while the Elks lost to two good teams, the Blue Bombers lost to two that are below them in the West Division standings. Winnipeg has yet to beat a team with a winning record, and that will continue. As in the first matchup, the Elks will play solid defence, win, and cover to keep the top spot in the West.

Player Prop Bets 

Here are our favourite value prop bets at Sports Interaction Sportsbook.

• Elks first team to 10 points, -160 – The Elks have a great defence, and their offence will come out firing after scoring 42 points in their last game.
• Justin Rankin Over 42.5 rushing yards, +100 – Rankin has rushed for at least 47 yards in each of the last two games and rushed for 106 yards in the win over the Blue Bombers this season.
• Tim White Over 47.5 receiving yards – The Winnipeg wide receiver has at least 51 receiving yards in four of the last five games and had 55 in the loss to Edmonton this season.