Photo courtesy: Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards/Saskatchewan Roughriders

We’re set for a four-game slate in Week 13 of the Canadian Football League season, and below are our predictions for two of those contests.

Week 13 CFL betting odds and picks: Best bets for Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan, Edmonton vs. Calgary

The CFL’s annual Labour Day Weekend rivalry games don’t start to kick off until Saturday, but we’ll hone in on the probability of some offensive fireworks in each of the two wagers recommended for the holiday ledger.

Sunday, Sept. 3: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Saskatchewan Roughriders – 7:00 p.m. EDT

With just a couple of exceptions along the way, the Blue Bombers’ offence has been in high gear throughout the season. Winnipeg has scored a CFL-high 344 points and has a +119 point differential.

Zach Collaros and company are averaging a league-high 390.5 yards of net offence per game as well and already upended the Roughriders by a 45-27 score in Week 2. 

Saskatchewan has been better defensively overall than that score would indicate. However, the Riders’ offence has often failed to live up to its end of the bargain while averaging a modest 21 points per game, the third-lowest figure in the league.

The Riders did find a spark in Week 11 before their bye with a surprising 34-29 win over the heavily favoured Lions. Jake Dolegala turned in a surprisingly effective effort in a spot start with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Nevertheless, the Bombers’ offence is healthy and clicking, while Winnipeg’s defence is surrendering a league-low 16.5 offensive points per game overall. The Riders could well be more competitive than expected once again, yet I like Winnipeg’s chances of entering halftime with at least a five-point lead.

The Pick: Blue Bombers -4 or less – 1st Half  (-110 or better)

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Monday, Sept. 4: Edmonton Elks at Calgary Stampeders – 7:00 p.m. EDT

The Elks didn’t open the season with their current quarterback, but they’re certainly reaping the benefits at the moment in the form of an exceedingly rare two-game winning streak.

Tre Ford has completed 76.9 percent of his passes for 680 yards with four touchdowns and one interception while adding 184 rushing yards and a pair of scores and averaging 9.2 yards per carry for Edmonton.

Meanwhile, the Stampeders are still sticking with the inconsistent Jake Maier, and he may have bought himself several more games with his 387-yard, four-touchdown effort in a wild loss to the Argonauts in Week 12. 

These two clubs will be hard-pressed to earn a playoff spot, considering they’re a combined 5-17. The defence has especially been an issue for the Elks. They’ve allowed the second-most offensive yards per game (383.0), including a CFL-high 141.1 rushing yards per contest. 

The Stampeders are particularly well-equipped to take advantage of the latter weakness, even if Ka’Deem Carey misses another game. Starting-quality backup Dedrick Mills mirrors Carey’s versatile skill set well and has proven capable of some massive outputs over the last two seasons.

On the other side, Calgary has boasted a more balanced defence. Nevertheless, the Stamps have still allowed the second-most points per game (26.7) and are tied with the Redblacks for most touchdowns surrendered (30). 

There’s enough firepower on either offence and enough vulnerabilities on defence for some points to pile up here, putting me in the direction of the Over.

The Pick: Over 46.5 points or less (-110 or better)