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Texas Super Kings made a statement in the eliminator by knocking out MI New York in an emphatic fashion, winning by nine wickets and now San Francisco Unicorns stand between them and the final.
DATE & TIME: Friday 26th July 2024 – USA ET – 8:30pm / USA PT – 5:30pm / West Indies – 7:30pm / Saturday 27th 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: Dry with clear skies, a gentle breeze and temperatures of 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: UNICORNS WITH LITTLE TIME TO RECOVER FROM DEFEAT
San Francisco Unicorns were bowled out in the eliminator for 145, which was always unlikely to be enough against Washington Freedom, who cantered to victory in 15.3 overs. But the Unicorns finishing in second-place across the league stage guarantees them this second chance.
LAST THREE: LWW
TEXAS SUPER KINGS FORM: CAN SUPER KINGS SECURE A MUCH-CRAVED HOME FINAL
Texas Super Kings put on a batting clinic against MI New York, chasing 164 with aplomb and losing only one wicket in the process, keeping the dream of winning Major League Cricket alive in front of a very happy home crowd.
LAST THREE: WWL
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS BETTING ANALYSIS
Both Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk were dismissed early against Washington Freedom last time out and it would be no surprise to see a response for at least one of the pair in the challenger. Bettors would be wise to spread small stakes across the pair in the event that one fails and the other doesn’t. Backing both to accrue 20+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market may prove a shrewd play.
Matches like this are where the best in the world earn their corn and Pat Cummins falls into this category for San Francisco. The Australian fast-bowling star is the exact sort of player who is due a game-winning performance here which would justify the commitment shown in him by the Unicorns, who signed him up on a four-year lucrative contract. Back Cummins to pick up over 1.5 match wickets here.
TEXAS SUPER KINGS BETTING ANALYSIS
We’ve waxed lyrical regarding Texas Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis, who continues to show his class across this tournament, with crucial knocks at the top of the order. His latest came in the form of 72 in the eliminator and he is now almost certain to finish the tournament as its top run-scorer. A stake on Du Plessis to finish as Texas’ top batter for the fourth time in their last five games has to be favoured.
Du Plessis’ opening partner Devon Conway also serves as a huge threat to San Francisco, having recorded 231 runs himself so far over the course of Major League Cricket in 2024. When considering how well the pair have worked as a partnership, they are more than capable of matching if not exceeding Allen and Fraser-McGurk on the opposite side. Back the Super Kings to put up an opening stand of over 25.5 match runs.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS TEXAS SUPER KINGS EXPERTPREDICTION
Texas Super Kings have a very exciting concoction of momentum and home advantage, which has the potential to carry them all the way to the final. San Francisco Unicorns will obviously have something to say about that, but the worry is that they may be over-reliant on their top order and if they were to lose the likes of Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk early on, then it could cost them.
It’s hard not to believe that Texas Super Kings may just be peaking at the right time. They looked so good vs MI New York and replicating that showing gives them an excellent chance here. With the crowd expected to be right behind them, there is real value in backing Texas to surprise the Unicorns and winning the challenger.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS TEXAS SUPER KINGS TOP TIP: TEXAS SUPER KINGS TO WIN
