Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
San Francisco Unicorns remain in second-place and two points against out-of-form Seattle Orcas would not only boost their hopes of finishing top of the table, but also eliminate Seattle from play-off contention.
DATE & TIME: Saturday 20th July 2024 – USA ET – 8:30pm / USA PT – 5:30pm / West Indies – 7:30pm / Sunday 21st July 2024 – UK – 1:30am / South Africa – 2:30am / Pakistan – 5:30am / India – 6:00am / Bangladesh – 6:30am / Australia – 10:30am
VENUE: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Texas, United States
WEATHER: Bright sunshine, descending into clear skies with temperatures dropping from 31c down to around 28c.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – TBA / UK – TNT Sports / South Africa – ESPN / Pakistan – A Sports / India – Sony Sports / Bangladesh – TBA / Australia – TBA
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – TBA / UK – discovery+ / South Africa – ESPN+ app / Pakistan – A Sports / India – Sony LIV / Bangladesh – TBA / Australia & New Zealand – Amazon Prime Video
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS FORM: CONSECUTIVE WINS EDGE UNICORNS CLOSER TO QUALIFIER
San Francisco Unicorns backed up their victory over Seattle Orcas this past week with a thrilling 3-run triumph against MI New York, which all but guarantees them a play-off spot and puts them in the box seat to secure a place in the first qualifier as a top two finisher.
LAST THREE: WWA
SEATTLE ORCAS FORM: WIN OR BUST FOR SEATTLE FOLLOWING THREE STRAIGHT DEFEATS
Only wins in each of their remaining two 2024 Major League Cricket fixtures gives Seattle Orcas a chance of finishing inside the top four, but right now that looks a remote possibility having been beaten in their last three games, most recently vs LA Knight Riders.
LAST THREE: LLL
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS BETTING ANALYSIS
The onus will be on Finn Allen at the top of the order to get San Francisco Unicorns off to a fast start in their innings, whether it be setting or chasing a score. The New Zealand international boasts 109 runs so far across four knocks, including a top score of 63. Allen’s ability to clear the boundary rope makes him a worthy bet to score over 0.5 match sixes in this one.
Australia’s Pat Cummins went wicketless in his last outing for the Unicorns and only picked up one scalp against Seattle the last two these two teams clashed. But it’s only a matter of time before a player of Cummins quality shows his class and a big haul could be around the corner. Back the right-arm fast bowler to gain 2+ wickets this time around.
SEATTLE ORCAS BETTING ANALYSIS
It’s fair to say that Seattle Orcas have vastly under-performed across this tournament when considering the players at their disposal. In Ryan Rickelton, they have one of the top-performing batters in the competition, who has racked up 225 runs in four innings. Coming off the back of 89 from just 52 balls vs LA Knight Riders, a stake on Rickelton to finish as his side’s top batter again here has to be favoured.
USA international Harmeet Singh is well-accustomed to conditions in Texas and has impressed with the ball for the Orcas. He could prove a key factor and that domestic experience possibly warrants backing from bettors to take over 1.5 match wickets on this occasion.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS SEATTLE ORCAS EXPERT PREDICTION
When you consider that these two teams are very much at opposite ends of the form scale, you’d expect this match to go one way. San Francisco Unicorns are playing good cricket in all departments and motivation is still high as they bid to secure that first qualifier squad. Seattle Orcas though, have now been in the dumps for a while and can’t seem to break out of their slump.
Provided San Francisco avoid any complacency and ensure they retain the same intensity with bat and ball that has served them so well recently, then they should do enough to overcome the Orcas. Any other outcome would be a surprise one.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS SEATTLE ORCAS TOP TIP: SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS TO WIN