San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints Betting Tips

November 15, 2013 Thatsbettingtips Staff

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints betting tips for this week’s NFL match live on Sky Sports.

Far and away the stand out fixture of the week 11 slate is this matchup between the 49ers and the Saints. Each club has experienced mix fortunes this season, with the 49ers in particular struggling to find the level of consistency that helped guide them to the Super Bowl a year ago. The 3 losses that the 49ers have so far accrued have come against teams with a combine win-loss record of 21-7 and whom all look bound for the Playoffs barring any late season collapse.

What is most concerning about the losses is that two of them came at home on the hallowed turf at Candlestick Park where they have been so dominant since Jim Harbaugh became coach prior to the 2011 season. Under Harbaugh, the 49ers had never lost back to back games, until this season. This season has been the first time for a lot of things under Harbaugh as for the first time the air of invincibility has shed slightly. With a record of 6-3 however, things could be a lot worse, but they need to start picking up victories as well regaining their consistency as they season hits the stretch run.

The Saints recovered from their shocking loss on the road to the Jets in week 9 by destroying the Dallas Cowboys at home 49-17. This season the Saints have rediscovered their defensive intensity in the wake of the Bounty-Gate scandal that saw coach Sean Payton amongst others suspended for the 2012 season. The hiring of Rob Ryan as defensive coordinator has reinvigorated the Saints defence and they look ready to dominate once again this year. The Saints are at their best when the defence is backing up the explosive Saints offence which continues to hum under the stewardship of Drew Brees. The Saints have the 3rd best pass defence in the league allowing just a hair under 200 yards a game. In a league that is increasingly becoming one dominated by quarterbacks, the Saints defence is getting it done. The key for the Saints in this weeks clash with the 49ers is to shut down Kaepernick and make him beat them with his arm rather than his legs. As dominant as the Saints pass defence has been, the rushing defence has lagged way behind; ranking 23rd overall. If Rob Ryan can come up with a game plan to shut down the Option Reads that are still a large part of the 49er offence, the Saints will already have won part of the battle.

Whilst the Saints dominate with their elite Secondary, the 49ers success is built upon rushing attack which relies heavily upon the line play of Joe Staley and Alex Boone who open up gaping holes for the likes of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter to exploit. If the 49ers are to pick up a key victory on the road here, they need to exploit the relatively weak Saints defensive line which has struggled to contain opponents rushing this season. If the 49ers can get a good rhythm early in the game as far as pounding the ball, they should be able to move the chains and extend their time of possession which gives Brew Brees less time to weave his magic with the likes of Jimmy Graham and Marquis Colston.

One of the odds that caught my eye this week the 4/1 Bet365 are offering on the 49ers to win by 1-6 points.

William Hill have the 49ers to win outright at 7/5.

The race to 20 points on Paddy Power is intriguing with the 49ers worth a punt at 5/4.

If you are a big believer in home field advantage then backing the 49ers to lead at half time before ultimately falling to the Saints is available at 6/1 on Bet365.