Trend-setting NFC West duel!
Division duels always have a special appeal! The duel between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, the predictions for which we are looking at here, is no exception. The assessment of the markets clearly shows the different phases in which the two teams are developing and therefore rightly award the role of favorites to the hosts.
The Niners stopped their negative trend with a 30-13 win over New England. The performance was only convincing in parts, and the injury concerns, both offensively and defensively, make it difficult to assess the team’s ability. Nevertheless, based on the recent performances of both teams, we recommend betting on the home side between the 49ers and Cardinals.
In Glendale, Arizona, the Cardinals were crushed 14-42 by Washington last week. As a result, the franchise is still waiting for its second win of the season. The first came from their division rivals from LA. Will the next NFC West opponent now have to suffer? Due to the underdog status in the 49ers vs. Cardinals match, attractive odds are of course available for this variant. Bet-at-home offers the best value for this.
It wasn’t pretty to watch what the Californians did against the Patriots. The best news was that it was at least successful. The Niners improved their win-loss record to 2-2, but there were – of course – further injuries to report. In the week before the game, Javon Hargreaves was ruled out for the season. On game day, safety Talanoa Hufanga was added to that list, and after the first half, the NFL’s best linebacker, Fred Warner, also had to leave the field injured. These three personnel changes all affect the defensive unit.
Prognosis for the offense? Top 3 unit!
On the other hand, there were and are finally positive signals on offense again. Among others, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle were back on the pitch again recently. Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who is still waiting for his debut for San Francisco, will probably have to continue to be patient. The 31st pick of this year’s draft was shot during a robbery before the season started and has been on the “non-football injury” list ever since. But even without him, the offense has already proven its good floor and we were able to show this against Arizona as well.
The 271.5 passing yards that quarterback Brock Purdy’s offense has put up so far are the best in the league. In addition, there is a solid running game with over 140 yards per game. This is particularly noteworthy given the absence of Christian McCaffrey, who was named the “Offensive Player of the Year” last season. Running back Jordan Mason is currently filling in outstandingly, even though he caused two fumbles against New England. Another touchdown from him brings good odds in the duel of the 49ers against the Cardinals in the comparison of the different bookmakers.
Despite the injuries, the defense around new coordinator Nick Sorensen showed a huge step forward against the Patriots. In particular, superstar Nick Bosa’s pass rush had a huge impact on the game. Now, New England’s offense is certainly not the benchmark, but we are still issuing a positive forecast for this unit ahead of the 49ers’ match against the Cardinals.
Key Players:
- QB: Brock Purdy
- RB: Jordan Mason
- WR: Deebo Samuel
- TE: George Kittle
- K: Jake Moody
Cardinals – Statistics & current form
We can see a not-so-good trend in the entire franchise from Glendale, Arizona. Jonathan Gannon’s team was defeated by the Washington Commanders last week, and now the question must be asked where the organization stands in the planned rebuild. Because strictly speaking, there was only one convincing performance in the first few weeks.
That came in the win against division rivals from Los Angeles, of all teams. However, the offense around playmaker Kyler Murray would have to improve again to pull off an upset against San Francisco. Against the good defensive unit from Washington, neither the running nor the passing game really got going, and a similar scenario could also threaten at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday evening.
Harrison and Conner as X-factors
Rookie Marvin Harrison is increasingly developing into the number one receiver that Arizona urgently needed. He was the pass receiver that Murray most often sought out with the ball in the past three games. It is therefore not surprising that he has caught four of the team’s six touchdown passes. Running back James Conner, who has recorded one fewer touchdown reception but whose runs make this personnel group a top-five rushing offense, is only one touchdown reception short of his team-leading six in 2020. It will be interesting to see whether this can be maintained over the season, as almost the entire offensive line now consists of backup players.
There are also injury concerns on defense, and so this unit is allowing 26.5 points per game. As a result, Cardinals games are regularly developing into shootouts. It is therefore not surprising that the over/under mark has been reached in three of four season openers. Since the defense has allowed over 30 points in two of four games, it is not surprising that the odds on over points for the hosts are not particularly attractive between the 49ers and Cardinals. Only if the Niners manage over 29 points, for example, does attractive value beckon at Betway.
Key Players:
- QB: Kyler Murray
- RB: James Conner
- WR: Marvin Harrison
- TE: Trey McBride
- K: Matt Prater
49ers – Cardinals Head-to-head record
The 49ers have swept the Cardinals in each of the last two seasons, and the tip that they will also win the fifth game in a row is by no means unrealistic. The markets give the Californians a handicap of 7.5 points, which they would have covered in each of the last four games. In each of these games, the Niners scored at least 30 points! A closer look at the odds for the Super Bowl victory also makes it clear once again what different stages the two franchises are at. While the Niners are once again favorites to win the championship, Arizona is in the middle of rebuilding the team.
49ers – Cardinals Tip
With the firepower on offense, there is no doubt in our minds that San Francisco can win the fifth straight match against their division rivals. We are also optimistic about a victory with at least an eight-point lead.
That’s why our main recommendation is for the hosts to win and for at least 40 points to find their way onto the scoreboard at Levi’s Stadium.
Last but not least, we are betting on the Bet365 app that the hosts will already be leading at half-time and will ultimately win the game.
