Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The top two teams in the 2024 Lanka Premier League collide having both accumulated the same number of wins across the league stage, with Galle Marvels finishing above Jaffna Kings only on net-run-rate.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 18th July, 2024: USA ET – 2:30am / USA PT – 5:30am / UK – 10:30am / South Africa – 11:30am / Pakistan – 2:30pm / India – 3:00pm / Sri Lanka – 3:00pm / Bangladesh – 4:00pm / Australia – 7:30pm
VENUE: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: A chance of thundery showers, with temperatures hot at 28c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Not Televised / West Indies – Not Televised / UK – Not Televised / South Africa – Not Televised / Pakistan – Star Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Star Sports / Australia – Not Televised / Sri Lanka – Star Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Not Available / West Indies – Not Available / UK – Not Available / South Africa – Not Available / Pakistan – Tapmad / India – Fancode / Bangladesh – Not Available / Australia – Kayo Sports / Sri Lanka – Dialog TV
GALLE MARVELS FORM: LEAGUE WINNERS IN POLE POSITION IN FIRST QUALIFIER
Although Galle Marvels were beaten in their final game of the league campaign, it wasn’t enough to knock them off the top of the table with their net-run-rate better than that of Jaffna Kings. They come into the play-offs having won five of their eight games played.
LAST THREE: LWW
JAFFNA KINGS FORM: LOSS AT THE HANDS OF STRIKERS PREVENTS KINGS FINISHING AS TABLE TOPPERS
As is the case with Galle Marvels, Jaffna Kings come into the play-offs on the back of defeat in their most recent contest, losing by nine wickets to Colombo Strikers in resounding fashion. It’s safe to say that significant improvement is needed on this occasion.
LAST THREE: LWW
GALLE MARVELS BETTING ANALYSIS
Bowler Isuru Udana will be critical to Galle Marvels in the play-offs, as is so often the case with left-arm pace bowlers in T20 cricket. Udana already boasts 12 wickets over the course of the 2024 Lanka Premier League so far, so bettors should consider exploring any markets available that offer value in him picking up a certain number of wickets in this qualifier.
New Zealander Tim Seifert has impressed with the bat, racking up 291 runs so far in eight innings, including an unbeaten 104 not out. The ‘Batter Milestones’ marker is the ideal one in which to try and capitalise on Seifert potentially stealing the show again here, with value available in backing him to accrue 30+ runs.
JAFFNA KINGS BETTING ANALYSIS
When assessing Jaffna Kings, it would be remiss not to start with their two top batters. Having each accumulated 311 runs across the league stage, Pathum Nissanka and Aviska Fernando are key to Jaffna’s hopes of success moving forward. Either are capable of a big knock in this qualifier and stakes on both to finish as the Kings’ top batter has to be favoured.
Jaffna will no doubt look to utilise the powerplay to good effect, regardless of whether they are setting or chasing a target in this encounter and a good start is vital for them. With their batting potentially more explosive than that of their opponents, there is value in backing the Kings’ to gain a higher score than Galle across the first six overs of their innings.
GALLE MARVELS VS JAFFNA KINGS EXPERT PREDICTION
A close encounter is expected between these two sides with a place in the final up for grabs. Both boast one victory against the other across the regular season so far and this qualifier really could go either way. But what may potentially swing the tide one particular way is the batting firepower of Jaffna Kings, which has been stand-out over the course of this year’s tournament so far.
That could be what makes the difference in a pressure game such as this with the likes of Nissanka and Fernando in such good form. Therefore, backing Jaffna Kings to get the better of table topping Galle Marvels should be seriously considered.
GALLE MARVELS VS JAFFNA KINGS TOP TIP: GALLE MARVELS TO WIN