The second of three meetings in 2016 between the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicks off on Thursday evening at 6:30 pm MDT from Manitoba’s Investors Group Field.

The Red and White, currently sitting at 1-1-1 and coming off a Week 4 bye, will clash with the 1-3 Bombers, who recently suffered a 20-16 defeat to the Edmonton Eskimos.

Looking to pick up their first road win of the season will be the Stamps as Calgary dropped a Week 1 decision in Vancouver and were forced to settle for a tie in the Nation’s Capital prior to their week off. Meanwhile, Winnipeg has yet to earn a victory on home field after clashes with both the Als and Esks.

A win on Thursday would clinch the season-series for the Stampeders over the Bombers despite the CFL season being just five weeks young. Also at stake is the opportunity for the Stamps to pick up their fifth win in five games at Investors Group Field since the stadium opened prior to the 2013 season. In addition, the club will be searching for its 14th straight triumph immediately following a bye.

The two sides faced off for a Canada Day clash in the home-opener at McMahon Stadium back on July 1. Calgary prevailed 36-22 for a 14-point victory on that day despite being outscored 15-0 in the fourth quarter. Jerome Messam ran for 137 yards in the contest while Marquay McDaniel tallied 136 receiving yards.

As for this week, potentially making their season debuts will be receiver Greg Wilson, offensive lineman Pierre Lavertu and defensive lineman Junior Turner.

With just one interception through three games, the Stamps defence will look to capitalize on any errant throws from Blue Bombers quarterback Drew Willy who has been picked off three times in four appearances, the second-highest total across the league.

But Calgary will also look to disrupt the Winnipeg pivot before he is able to distribute the football through the air as the Bombers have allowed 3.25 sacks per game compared to a mere 1.3 sacks per game given up by the Stampeders.

The opponents will square off for a third and final time on Sept. 24 when the Blue and Gold pay a second visit to Southern Alberta.

Key Matchup

Placekickers Rene Paredes of Calgary and Justin Medlock of Winnipeg are both off to uncharacteristically slow starts, with both special-teamers making just eight of their first 12 field goal attempts. Paredes holds a CFL record having made 39 consecutive regular-season field goals in 2013. Medlock is the most accurate kicker in CFL history with an 86.4 career success rate.

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Comparative team stats (through Week 4)