Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns Preview & Prediction | 2024 Major League Cricket | Qualifier
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
A place in the final of Major League Cricket in 2024 is at stake as league winners Washington Freedom take on second-place finishers San Francisco Unicorns in the qualifier.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 25th July 2024 - USA ET – 8:30pm / USA PT – 5:30pm / West Indies – 7:30pm / Friday 26th 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 27c.
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
WASHINGTON FREEDOM FORM: GETTING BACK TO WINNING WAYS A PRORITY
Washington Freedom come into the play-offs on the back of defeat, losing their unbeaten record in this tournament at the hands of the Unicorns. Although the result meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, Washington will hope for no psychological effects.
LAST THREE: LWW
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS FORM: WANTING TO AT LEAST FINISH ON A HIGH
To beat Washington Freedom earlier in the week and extending their winning run will have served this San Francisco Unicorns squad with a huge injection of confidence ahead of this qualifier, knowing they have the ability to beat their opponents here.
LAST THREE: WWW
WASHINGTON FREEDOM BETTING ANALYSIS
Openers Travis Head and Steve Smith have combined for a total of 385 runs over the course of this tournament, with Head blasting 194 and Smith 191. The latter is averaging over 60 and such numbers cannot be ignored from a betting point of view. Back Smith to score over 30+ runs and also back the pair to add over 26.5 runs for the first Washington wicket.
Whilst he is known mainly for his batting, Rachin Ravindra also provides a very handy spin option for the Freedom. Figures of 4/16 against Texas Super Kings is testament to that and any hint of turn at Grand Prairie Stadium will be taken advantage of by the New Zealand international. Therefore, look at backing Ravindra with a small stake to finish as Washington’s top bowler.
SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS BETTING ANALYSIS
A lot could depend on San Francisco opener Finn Allen in the qualifier as he possesses the power required to tip things in the Unicorn’s favour whether they be setting or chasing a target. Allen’s 186 runs, including 15 sixes have been paramount to his side’s success, so backing Allen to continue his big-hitting exploits and gain over 0.5 match sixes here is worth a play on.
Also worthy of attention on the batting front is Sanjay Krishnamurthi on the back of his 79 from just 42 balls in the last contest between these two sides. Having performed so well against the same opponent so recently, Krishnamurthi knows what he needs to do to accumulate a significant score again vs Washington and backing him to gain 20+ runs via the ‘Battle Milestones’ market should be considered.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM VS SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS EXPERTPREDICTION
San Francisco Unicorns may have gotten the better of Washington Freedom when the two teams last collided, but you can be sure that a different Freedom will be on show this time around, with significantly more at stake. The bowling especially should be far tighter on the Washington side and San Francisco will surely not find it as easy to score on this occasion.
Expect Washington to bounce back strongly and whilst their batters should get on top of the Unicorns, this time the Freedom bowlers will likely show a marked improvement and help lead the league stage table toppers to victory.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM VS SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS TOP TIP:WASHINGTON FREEDOM TO WIN
