Friday's CHL Best Bets & Predictions – September 4, 2026
Friday's CHL predictions are Växjö Lakers to beat Adler Mannheim, Frölunda HC -1.5 against SaiPa and Skellefteå AIK -1.5 against Nitra.
The Champions Hockey League gets into full swing on Friday, and the three bets that stand out all involve SHL clubs. Växjö face a difficult trip to Germany, while Frölunda and Skellefteå are backed to turn their respective advantages into victories by at least two goals.
There is plenty of evidence from last season to support the Swedish trio. Skellefteå, Frölunda and Växjö finished first, second and third respectively in the 2025-26 SHL regular season, with Skellefteå eventually completing the campaign as Swedish champions.
Friday's CHL Multi Bet
Växjö Lakers to win + Frölunda HC -1.5 + Skellefteå AIK -1.5 (4.82 Bet365)
Växjö provide the straight-win selection in Friday's Multi Bet, while the puck line comes into play with Frölunda and Skellefteå. All three Swedish clubs finished inside the SHL's top three last season, and Frölunda and Skellefteå were particularly dominant in terms of goal differential, finishing at +55 and +61 respectively.
Adler Mannheim vs Växjö Lakers Prediction
Best Bet: Växjö Lakers to win
Växjö are worth backing in what looks the toughest leg of Friday's accumulator. The Lakers made a significant jump last season, improving from eighth to third in the SHL with 94 points and reaching the playoff semi-finals.
Mannheim were also strong, finishing second in the DEL and collecting 53 points at home, so this is unlikely to be straightforward. However, Växjö have already shown some encouraging signs in preseason, beating Malmö 2-1 before taking Rögle to overtime in a 3-2 defeat.
The strength of Växjö's 2025-26 SHL campaign gives them the edge.
- Växjö finished third in the SHL last season with 94 points.
- The Lakers improved from 76 points in 2024-25 to 94 in 2025-26.
- Mannheim won three of their five preseason games.
SaiPa vs Frölunda HC Prediction
Best Bet: Frölunda HC -1.5
Frölunda's away numbers make the -1.5 puck line particularly appealing. They finished second in the SHL with 101 points and a +55 goal differential, but were arguably even more impressive on the road.
Frölunda recorded 15 regulation wins from 26 away games and produced an SHL-best +30 road goal differential. SaiPa, meanwhile, have had a short preseason and suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat against Jokerit.
Frölunda lost their final warm-up 3-1 to Malmö but outshot them 34-18, and their ability to control games and create separation makes the two-goal line worth backing.
- Frölunda finished with a +55 goal differential last season.
- They produced an SHL-best +30 goal differential away from home.
- SaiPa were beaten 7-1 by Jokerit during preseason.
Nitra vs Skellefteå AIK Prediction
Best Bet: Skellefteå AIK -1.5
Nitra enter as Slovak champions and have impressed in preseason, but this represents a major step up in opposition.
Skellefteå dominated the SHL last season, finishing first with 108 points before going on to win the championship. They scored a league-high 182 goals, finished with a +61 goal differential and were also the SHL's best road team.
Their 31.8% power play provides another significant advantage against Nitra, and despite a relatively quiet preseason, Skellefteå's scoring power makes them the strongest -1.5 selection of Friday's three bets.
- Skellefteå led the SHL with 108 points and a +61 goal differential.
- They were the SHL's best away team with 52 points from 26 games.
- Skellefteå averaged 3.50 goals per game with a 31.8% power play.