The Premier Lacrosse League heads to Fairfield, Connecticut for its final group of games before the All-Star break. The weekend starts with a matchup between the 3-1 Waterdogs and 1-3 Whipsnakes and is followed by two teams seeking their fourth win in the Archers and Redwoods.
Through four weeks, our PLL picks have earned 16.64 units (26-11) and we’ve managed to win at least three units every week — with last week’s 5.22 units being our largest take back.
Let’s keep the momentum going and take a look at the PLL Week 5 betting angles.
If you’re an avid bettor who’s new to lacrosse or a lacrosse fan who’s new to betting, check out my guide on how to bet on lacrosse for some tips to use when placing a lacrosse bet.
Whipsnakes LC vs. Waterdogs LC (-1.5)
| Whipsnakes Odds | -110 |
| Waterdogs Odds | -110 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Friday · 6 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Whipsnakes and Waterdogs face off to kick off PLL Week 5, with the Waterdogs entering as 1.5-point favorites and the total sitting at 23.5 at most sportsbooks.
The Waterdogs will be missing Connor Kelly for the second straight week and Ryan Conrad is also out.
The Whipsnakes will get Matt Rambo back in the lineup, but will be without starting defender Matt Dunn and four-time LSM of the Year Michael Ehrhardt.
The Waterdogs and Whipsnakes have played each other tight, with each of the last three meetings being decided by just one goal.
While I think this normally would be a great spot to back the Whipsnakes as an underdog, their injuries concern me enough to stay away from the side. Instead, I’ll be targeting a player prop and game prop in this clash.
Last week, we cashed betting Dillon Ward to surpass his saves prop of 12.5, and the sportsbooks somehow rewarded us this week by lowering that same prop to 11.5. While the Whipsnakes' offense is definitely playing better than Waterdogs' opponent last week in the Chrome, this number is too low for Ward.
Once again, the Waterdogs are opting to not use a faceoff specialist, which last weekend resulted in a lot of short possessions for Chrome off the faceoff — and as a result, a higher shot volume of lower-quality shots for Ward. Furthermore, in the last 10 games that Ward has played the full 60 minutes, he’s recorded at least 12 saves in seven of them.
Additionally, Ward has had 12 or more saves in three of his last four games against the Whipsnakes and is averaging 14.25 saves against the Whips during that stretch.
Bet Ward to stop more than 12 shots on Friday night at -130 on FanDuel.
The second prop I’m betting in this game is for the total two-point goals to stay under 1.5 at -113 on FanDuel. Both of these teams have shooters who can score from range, but I think this number underestimates how good both defenses have been at defending the two-pointer.
Furthermore, Kelly is responsible for four of the Waterdogs’ five two-point goals this season and he’ll be absent from the lineup this week. While the Whipsnakes have two two-point threats in Mike Chanenchuk and Tucker Dordevic, the Waterdogs are the only team to allow just one two-point goal this season on 21 attempts.
The Whipsnakes' defense sits right behind them at just two goals allowed from beyond the arc in 21 attempts.
I like the odds of this game seeing only one or fewer two-point goals made, and I recommend betting under 1.5 at -113 on FanDuel.
Picks: Dillon Ward Over 11.5 Saves | Under 1.5 Two-Point Goals
Archers LC (-1.5) vs. Redwoods LC
| Archers Odds | -130 |
| Redwoods Odds | +100 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Friday · 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
The Archers and Redwoods meet on Friday night, and if the Waterdogs lose, the winner of this matchup would claim the top spot in the standings.
The Archers enter as 1.5-point favorites and the total is 23.5.
I tried to fade the Redwoods last week, but a last-minute scratch of Chaos starting goalie Blaze Riorden and a poor performance from the Chaos' offense created a perfect storm for the Woods to secure their third win of the season.
I’m ready to fade them again against an even better Archers team, though.
The Archers are first in defensive efficiency during settled sets, allowing goals on just 25% of settled possessions. Brett Dobson has been phenomenal in net and the Archers have the defenders to stifle MVP frontrunners Ryder Garnsey and Rob Pannell.
Graeme Hossack should get the matchup with Pannell, and I expect him to spoil the veteran’s chance to join the 300-goal club on Friday.
I also think the Archers will have a much better game plan for stopping Ryder Garnsey, and I expect Warren Jeffrey to draw that matchup for the majority of the game.
The Archers will also be getting Grant Ament back in the lineup this weekend, though they haven’t necessarily needed him as of late. The Archers' offense is the most efficient in league — scoring on 32.4% of their possessions — and they face a Redwoods defense that ranks last in defensive efficiency — allowing goals on 31.9% of possessions.
The Redwoods' defense has also been entirely too reliant on Jack Kelly, and the Archers have the weapons to expose one of the weaker short-stick defensive midfield units.
I like the Archers to win outright against the Woods, and do so by margin. Bet Archers -1.5 at +115 on DraftKings or BetMGM.
For the reasons above, I’ll also be betting three player props on Friday night.
We’ll start with Garnsey, whose stat line through four weeks has caused his points and goals prop to inflate. The Archers' defense will be the toughest he’s faced this season, and I think he’ll have a tough time replicating his recent success against Jeffrey or any one of the Archers’ defenders.
Bet Garnsey to stay under 4.5 points (-110 on DraftKings) and under 3.5 goals (-138 on FanDuel.)
I'm also targeting Mac O’Keefe to record over 1.5 goals (+144) and Connor Fields to record more than both 2.5 points (-160 on bet365) and 3.5 points (+125 on DraftKings.) I liked both Fields and O’Keefe’s props prior to Ament re-joining the lineup, but Ament being back in the fold should open things up even more for both attackmen.
For Fields specifically, I think four points is attainable, but I suggest building a prop ladder using the points props available. Bet one unit on Fields to surpass 2.5 points and then a 0.5 unit on Fields to go over 3.5 points.
