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Even if Washington Freedom were to lose here to second-placed San Francisco Unicorns, it would have to be by a huge margin for them to be overtaken at the top of the table due to their vastly superior net-run-rate.
DATE & TIME: Monday 22nd July 2024 – USA ET – 8:30pm / USA PT – 5:30pm / West Indies – 7:30pm / Tuesday 23rd 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: A chance of rain showers across the scheduled hours of play, although light winds should blow them through and ensure a game is play.
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: SECOND-PLACE LOCKED UP BUT STILL A SLIM CHANCE OF FIRST
San Francisco Unicorns’ excellent run of form has ensured them of a place in the first qualifier and a crack to reach the 2024 Major League Cricket final at the first opportunity. But whilst they’d love to finish the group stage top of the three, it would require a seismic net-run-rate swing here to make it happen.
LAST THREE: WWW
WASHINGTON FREEDOM FORM: LOOKING TO END GROUP STAGE UNDEFEATED
The only side in this year’s edition of Major League Cricket still yet to be beaten, it’s been an almost perfect campaign so far for Washington Freedom and it would serve as a psychological first punch if they were to get the better of the Unicorns here ahead of their upcoming qualifier showdown in the play-offs.
LAST THREE: WWW
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS BETTING ANALYSIS
After underlining the value of Finn Allen in our preview of San Francisco’s clash with Seattle Orcas, the big-hitting opener smashed 77 runs from only 30 balls, justifying those who invested in the New Zealander. With Allen in good touch following that knock, consider further stakes in him here, both via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market to score 20+ runs and via the ‘Team Top Batter’ market.
Hassan Khan’s left-arm orthodox spin was also profitable against the Orcas, picking up three wickets for the loss of just five runs in two overs. Expect him to be targeted by the big-hitting Washington batters when taking into account his slow bowling which could see him benefit from catches deep in the field. Therefore, explore backing Khan to finish as the Unicorns’ top bowler.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM BETTING ANALYSIS
When you think of Washington Freedom, you always look at the opening pairing of Travis Head and Steve Smith to set the tone. So often, it’s one of those two who accumulates significant runs, if not both of them. Each warrant stakes via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market, specifically backing both to score 30+ runs individually in this contest.
The pace of Lockie Ferguson could be a factor here, which San Francisco struggles against. Ferguson has the speed to break games open, taking wickets out of nowhere and bettors should take note of this. A smart play may be to back Ferguson to gain over 1.5 match wickets.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS WASHINGTON FREEDOM EXPERTPREDICTION
It remains to be seen if any side will be tempted to rest players for this one and with that in mind, bettors would be wise not to make any moves until both team line-ups are confirmed. Washington Freedom in particular, won’t be want to risk losing any momentum though, having set the standard across the tournament so far and jeopardising that by changing their team would be a gamble.
The bowling attack of San Francisco Unicorns poses a significant challenge for the Freedom, but every test faced by Washington so far has been passed with flying colours and it’s hard to back against them here as a result. In what is likely to be a close game, Washington may just edge out the Unicorns.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS VS WASHINGTON FREEDOM TOP TIP:WASHINGTON FREEDOM TO WIN
