Looking objectively and having to be honest with yourself about who is superior,
If you remain selfish and choose your favorite team that is far behind in terms of data on the field, then loss will definitely occur.
I would probably stop not betting if my favorite team meets a stronger opponent, but to overcome the panic it might be as you say,
betting on an opponent would probably be a good option because what we are looking for is winning bets, not entertainment and then losing money.
That's what am saying. If the bettor want to intentionally lose their money, that is only when they can bet on their favorite team knowing that they will still lose the bet. You know that some bettors agree that the best way to support their favorite team is to bet on them to win and be optimistic about it, disregarding the low chance they might have. I can not bet on my team knowing they are going to make me lose my bet, I'd rather bet on their opponent.
To risk for always considering your bets should go to your favorite team since we know that favor always not come unto them.
I'm statistical dude when it comes on betting and I usually bet on I think much stronger team or higher chance to win even if their opponent is the team we favorite to watch.
If people question if we are having fun betting against our favorite team. Well for me its fine since as long as no money has been wasted and I win then that's important since we don't gain anything if we choose to be fanatic even if we are losing.