Belleville Senators - Syracuse Crunch predictions and free betting tips [17/04/2024]

American Hockey League. Regular Championship 2023/2024. Another one of the opening matches of this gameday presents a clash in the Northern Division. The division leader, asserting for a victory, is pitted against a team currently in the playoff zone but yet to guarantee their place. Belleville 'Senators' will be welcoming Syracuse 'Crunch' at home.

Belleville 'Senators'

Ottawa's farm club strives to secure their playoff spot by hook or by crook. Virtually all teams have already secured their berths or, vice versa, lost their chances, but Belleville is currently in the playoff zone without any guarantee. They are on the fifth line, promising a ticket to a playoff after 69 matches, scooping up 76 points from these encounters. Belleville gained these points with 35 victories, three overtime and three penalty shootout defeats.

The remaining 28 matches were defeats with no additional points. Despite an eminent defence line, conceding just 207 goals to secure the second position in the division, they struggle offensively with the lowest number of goals, 202, in the division. Over the last ten contests, the 'Senators' recorded five victories, four regular time defeats, and one overtime defeat. They are currently on a one-match losing streak.

Syracuse 'Crunch'

Currently, they are leading the division. Tampa's farm club significantly declined their standing with three successive defeats. Out of these, two were beyond the regular match time, which conspicuously sabotages Crunch's standing as they now lead the second-place team by a mere point. Crunch accumulated 84 points over 69 games. These points result from 38 regular time victories along with four overtime and four penalty shootout losses.

Tampa's farm club lost the remaining 23 matches. Importantly, Crunch has conceded the least number of goals in the division – 193. However, they have some trouble securing goals, as indicated by the fifth place and 213 goals. Syracuse's last ten matches saw four victories, four regular time defeats, and two penalty shootout losses. As mentioned earlier, they are on a three-match losing streak currently.

Head-To-Head Meetings

In this season, Belleville 'Senators' and Syracuse 'Crunch' faced off seven times. Belleville came up superior in six encounters – 3:2, 3:1, 4:3, 6:5, 4:2, and 5:2. The only victory for Syracuse has been a 4:2 win.

Prediction

Betsiti's favourite for this match is Syracuse 'Crunch', with odds at 2.32, while Belleville 'Senators' stands at 2.40. I deem favouring Tampa's farm club, irrespective of their unfavourable personal meetings this season, as Crunch is overdue for a streak interruption. Hence, we're taking their victory.

Total Prediction

In terms of the total, TU (5.5) with odds at 2.10 seems promising. Given that both teams have robust defences and decent, not outstanding, offensive records, wagering for the lower total makes sense here even though it was achieved only twice during this season's seven encounters.