Free CFL Week 4 Picks from Expert Canadian Football Handicapper

The favorites continue to set the early pace in the CFL with a straight-up 9-3 record through the first three weeks while covering against the spread in eight of the 12 games. I have gotten off to a hot start with my free weekly CFL pick for Doc's Sports at 3-0. Last week, I cashed in on British Columbia and Edmonton taking their game "over" 54 points.

This week, I have turned my attention to Friday night's matchup between the Ottawa RedBlacks and the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division.

CFL Week 4 Betting Overview

CFL action in Week 4 gets underway on Thursday night at 9 p.m. with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats squaring off against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Tiger-Cats come in as seven-point road favorites with the total set at 51. Saskatchewan has won 16 of its last 18 home games against Hamilton SU.

Kicking off Saturday's CFL doubleheader at 5:30 p.m., the Edmonton Eskimos have been listed as three-point road favorites against the Toronto Argonauts. The total for this inter-division tilt has been set at 55.5 points and it has gone OVER in the last five meetings.

Later on Saturday in an 8:30 p.m. start, the BC Lions go on the road to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a West Division clash. The Blue Bombers are favored by four points with the total set at 54. Winnipeg has covered in seven of its last eight games against the Lions.

CFL Free Pick of the Week: Ottawa at Montreal

The RedBlacks are 1-1 (SU and ATS) on the year and they head into Percival-Molson Stadium for this 7:30 p.m. start as 7.5-point road favorites with the total set at 49 points. Montreal is 1-2 both SU and ATS in its first three games.

Ottawa came off a Week 1 bye hot with a 40-17 romp against Saskatchewan as a two-point home favorite. The total went over 50 points in that game. Last week, the RedBlacks were dealt a dose of reality in a 24-14 loss to Calgary as 7.5-point underdogs on the road. The total stayed well under the closing 55.5-point line. They were able to keep things close into the fourth quarter on the strength of their defense, with the offense struggling all night long.

After lighting up the Roughriders with 345 yards passing and two touchdown throws, Trevor Harris was held to just 135 yards passing and zero scores while completing a dismal 44.8 percent of his 29 passing attempts against the Stampeders. William Powell remained impressive running the ball with 123 yards on 13 carries.

Montreal was outscored 78-20 in its first two games against BC on the road and Winnipeg at home. Last week, the Alouettes' defense made its first appearance of the season in a stunning 23-17 upset on the road against Saskatchewan as heavy 10.5-point underdogs. The total stayed under 45 points in that game and it has stayed under in two of their first three games.

Quarterback Drew Willy left last week's game against Saskatchewan in the third quarter due to a neck injury and he was replaced by Jeff Mathews. The two combined for 219 yards passing with one score and four interceptions. Willy is listed as questionable for Friday, but Montreal's offense could continue to struggle no matter who is under center.

Point could be hard to come by on Friday night given the way each of the offenses played their last time out. Betting trends also favor a low scoring game with the total staying under the last five meetings in this division clash. The total has also stayed under in seven of Ottawa's last eight games against a division foe.

This one could be tough to watch for all four quarters, but if you are looking to cash a winning ticket bet the under on the 49-point line.

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