B.C. Lions open as short favourites over Winnipeg Blue Bombers in critical West Division matchup

The B.C. Lions have opened as short favourites in what is arguably the most important game of their season so far.

The Leos are riding a four-game winning streak that has tied them with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for first place in the West Division standings at 11-4. The clubs split their first two meetings of the season, which means that Friday’s game at BC Place Stadium will decide the season series and give the winner a two-point advantage in the playoff seeding.

Though a victory won’t guarantee first place for either side, it will give them a very strong chance to finish first in the West Division. With only two games remaining on the schedule for both teams after this week, the club that loses on Friday would have to win out and hope the other squad loses out in order to leapfrog them in the standings.

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B.C. upset Winnipeg at IG Field by a score of 30-6 on June 22 before the Blue Bombers exacted their revenge on Aug. 3, blasting the Lions 50-14. Though the first two games were both blowouts, the oddsmakers seem to believe this week’s game will be close. This is also the first game between the two teams this season that will be played in Vancouver.

Winnipeg is coming off a 31-21 victory over the Toronto Argonauts, who sat franchise quarterback Chad Kelly and a few key defensive players this past week. The club has hosted the last two West Finals, winning both en route to appearances in the Grey Cup.

The Lions visited Winnipeg in last year’s West Final with Nathan Rourke under centre but lost 28-20 and the young quarterback fought through a lingering injury to his foot. B.C. hasn’t finished atop the West Division standings since 2012 when they lost the West Final to the Kevin Glenn-led Calgary Stampeders by a score of 34-29.

The Lions (11-4) will host the Blue Bombers (11-4) on Friday, Oct. 6 with kickoff slated for 10:00 p.m. EDT.

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