The XFL Week 4 schedule wraps up Sunday night with the winless Vegas Vipers (0-3) visiting the undefeated D.C. Defenders (3-0). Kickoff at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. is 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Vipers vs. Defenders odds, and make our expert XFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Vipers gave up 15 points in the 4th-quarter last week in a 30-26 home loss to the Seattle Sea Dragons as 3.5-point underdogs. Vegas allowed 4 TD passes by Seattle QB Ben DiNucci.
The Defenders sent the St. Louis BattleHawks to their first loss of the year in a 34-28 home win as 2.5-point favorites. They outscored St. Louis 20-14 in the 2nd half and withstood 4 A.J. McCarron TD passes, intercepting him twice.
The Defenders beat the Vipers 18-6 in Vegas in Week 2.
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Vipers at Defenders odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:17 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Vipers +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Defender -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vipers +6 (-108) | Defender -6 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 41.5 (O: -110 | U: _110)
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Vipers at Defenders key injuries
Vipers
- DB Deontay Anderson (Achilles) questionable
- QB Brett Hundley (thigh) questionable
- OL Kahill McKenzie (toe) out
- OL Mike Miller (lower leg) questionable
- TE Sean Price (abdomen) questionable
- LB Martrell Spaight (thigh) questionable
- DB Adam Spark (shoulder) questionable
- OL Isaiah Williams (ankle) questionable
- DB Nijuel Hill (ankle) questionable
Defenders
- C Mike Maetti (illness) questionable
- C Ty Clary (knee) out
- TE Ethan Wolf (knee, ankle) out
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Vipers at Defenders picks and predictions
Prediction
Defenders 26, Vipers 22
Moneyline
The Defenders will be missing 2 key defenders as LB Francis Bernard and DL Gabe Wright were both suspended for their involvement in an altercation in the game against St. Louis.
The Vipers will have a new offensive playcaller after OC Duane Taylor was fired on Friday. Vegas is averaging 17.3 points per game. The Defenders have averaged 24.6 points per game through 3 weeks.
I expect a D.C. home win but PASS on the moneyline because the better value is the spread.
Against the spread
The Defenders are 3-0 ATS on the season, covering the spread in both games in which they have been favored. The Vipers have not covered the spread in their last 2 games but did in Week 1.
In this matchup, the Defenders’ defensive losses will impact the game. Six points is just too much to lay up this week.
BET VIPERS +6 (-108).
Over/Under
The 1st matchup in Week 2 had only 24 total points, but that is the only game the Vipers have had with a total under 40.
The Defenders’ game last week was their 1st that had more than 40 points.
BET OVER 41.5 (-110).
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Plus, try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
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