Raiders vs Chiefs Predictions: Take LV to cover

We've reached Week 13 of the NFL season, and after an action-packed Thanksgiving Day, we've got some bonus Friday Football from Arrowhead, where the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders (20:00 Friday, live on Sky Sports NFL).

Despite possessing a league-leading 10-1 record, the Chiefs have struggled to really dominate in any game but are finding a way to grind out results. For the Raiders, they can't get any results, full stop and are sitting on a 2-9 record. Read on for my Raiders vs Chiefs prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

NFL Odds

Team News

Andy Reid spoke confidently in midweek about the chance of star running back Isiah Pacheco, who has recovered from injury and been a full participant in practice all week and appears likely to suit up. He could be joined by defensive end Charles Omenihu who has also trained in full this week.

One issue for 'Big Red' is at kicker, where back-up Spencer Shrader has a reported hamstring issue and looks likely to miss out on Friday. He would be replaced by third-string Matthew Wright, who made all three kicks in his only game this season.

The Raiders head to Arrowhead short-handed and in their Week 13 injury report confirmed the omission of QB Gardner Minshew with a broken collarbone that will see the end of his season. He joined starting cornerbacks Jakorian Bennett and Nate Hobbs on the unavailable list and Las Vegas could really struggle in the secondary against one of the best in the league in Patrick Mahomes.

Running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White are both doubts to start and it looks like Aidan O'Connell will get the nod at quarterback over Desmond Ridder.

Raiders vs Chiefs Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Raiders vs Chiefs page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match

The Chiefs are huge 1/7 favourites on the moneyline, which gives them an implied win probability of 87.5%, while the Raiders can be backed at 5/1 to win the match outright, if you fancy the shock to occur.

The spread is currently set at 12.5 at the time of writing with Kansas 20/23 to cover, and it's 20/21 for the Dolphins to do the same.

Las Vegas Raiders +12.5 @ 20/21

As a Chiefs fan, I've watched every minute of Kansas City's games this season and to be honest, it's not been pretty in the main. That may sound ridiculous for a team sitting 10-1 at the top of the AFC West and the #1 AFC seed but they have scraped through so many games its been almost laughable.

Eight of their ten wins have been by one score and they would have lost to the Broncos if it hadn't have been for a blocked field goal at the gun. Their offense looked a lot better last week against the Panthers but the defense was frankly shoddy against a Carolina side that moved the chain at will.

Yes, this Raiders side is trash and Aidan O'Connell is no world beater at QB but I can see them just covering the spread. It was 27-20 at the Allegiant Stadium back in October and I could see a similar scoreline on Friday evening.

Patrick Mahomes 250 Passing Yards and 2 Touchdowns @ 9/4 (Price Boost)

As mentioned above, whilst the two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes may statistically be having the worst year of his career, anyone who has actually watched the games will see they have won because of him, not despite him. He has been clutch on 3rd downs and in the fourth quarter and stepped up when they have really needed him.

The addition of Deandre Hopkins has boosted Mahomes target options and his numbers have increased in recent weeks, throwing for 269 yards and three TD's last week, with crucially no interceptions. His quarterback rating rose from his 93 season average all the way to 120.2.

I'm taking him to have another excellent game on Friday night and cover this line fairly easily.  The bet has been boosted from 15/8 out to 9/4!

Remember to check out our NFL Betting Tips index page where we preview games live on Sky Sports along with a weekly Predictions column.