Steve Starr
- The Seawolves (6-1) are a -1.5 point road favorite over the Warriors (5-2) this week
- Utah is currently not in playoff position in the loaded Western Conference despite a strong start to the season
- Five other Major League Rugby matchups will take place across the country this weekend
Major League Rugby enters Round 9 of the 2023 season with six games across the league this Saturday and Sunday. The No. 1 seed is crucial in MLR as the top team in each conference gets a first-round bye while seeds #2 and #3 must battle for a shot to advance.
Before we examine the odds and make our picks, check out the top Rugby Betting Sites in 2023. You can also stay up to date with the latest betting tips on the 2023 Rugby Union World Cup.
Warriors vs Seawolves
 | Spread | Win | Draw |
| Utah Warriors | +1.5 (-120) | +105 | +2000 |
| Seattle Seawolves | -1.5 (-110) | -121 | +2000 |
Seattle heads to Utah
Seattle (6-1) is coming off a hard-fought 23-20 loss to San Diego in Round 8. They’re now three points back of the Legion for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Seawolves will look to right the ship in Salt Lake City on Saturday.
Utah defeated the Houston Sabercats 30-24 last weekend despite entering the match down three starters, including MLR goal leader Joe Mano. The close result was typical of a Warriors game this year. Even though the club only has nine more points for (181) than points against (172), they’re 5-2 entering Round 9.
BREAKING: In a trade for salary cap considerations for the @DallasJackals Seawolves have signed Adriaan Carelse, to add depth to the Fly Half and Fullback positions.https://t.co/Hhf4HZV5GQ@usmlr I #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/KEH4HUipox
— Seattle Seawolves Rugby (@SeawolvesRugby) April 13, 2023
Warriors slight underdogs at home
The Seawolves are 1.5-point road favorites on Saturday night. They’re undefeated on the road and have a 77-point differential in seven games this season. While Utah has a perfect 3-0 record at home this year, their play has been uneven at times. The Warriors were blown out by San Diego 33-17 back in February. And they only beat the last-place Chicago Hounds 14-10 in March.
We like Seattle to cover the spread in Utah this weekend and improve their record to 7-1.
Major League Rugby – Round 9 Matchups
| Spread | Win | Draw |
| Toronto Arrows | +9.5 (-120) | +250 | +2500 |
| New England Free Jacks | -9.5 (-110) | -335 | +2500 |
| Houston Sabercats | -18.5 (-110) | -1500 | +4000 |
| Dallas Jackets | +18.5 (-120) | +675 | +4000 |
| NOLA Gold | -5.5 (-110) | -200 | +2200 |
| Rugby ATL | +5.5 (-120) | +166 | +2200 |
| Old Glory DC | +5.5 (-120) | +156 | +2200 |
| New York Ironworkers | -5.5 (-110) | -190 | +2200 |
| San Diego Legion | -24.5 (-110) | -5000 | +5000 |
| Chicago Hounds | +24.5 (-120) | +1200 | +5000 |
Five More Games This Weekend
New England (5-2) is a 9.5-point favorite over Toronto (1-6). While the Arrows are playing at home north of the border, they’re the only team in the MLR to be outscored by more than 100 points in 2023.
Houston (5-2) is heavy 18.5-point chalk at home against Dallas (1-6). It might seem like a lot of points, but the Jackets only victory this year came over 1-6 Toronto, and the SaberCats are the third-place team in the West.
No slowing down. Another weekend of quality rugby is headed your way 🔥
Details on how to watch every match: https://t.co/I7IPcgtx2z@FOXSports | @therugbynetwork | @AmericanAir | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/wIYaUEUy9d
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) April 13, 2023
Rugby ATL (3-4) is a 5.5-point road underdog to NOLA Gold (3-4). With the two squads in a dogfight for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, we think this one will be the closest contest of Round 9.
New York (4-3) is a 5.5-point favorite on the road to Old Glory DC (2-5) on Sunday afternoon. This one has upset potential as the Ironworkers only have a +20 point differential this year.
Finally, the biggest point spread of the week belongs to the Legion (6-1), who are 24.5-point home favorites over Chicago (1-6). Take San Diego to cover all those points against the horrible Hounds.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
