Caribbean Premier League Matches 22 and 23: Keep faith with batters in Basseterre

Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors CPL Tips

Click here for Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors odds
Monday 31 August, 22.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Trinbago versus Guayana has been the final in two of the last three seasons. These are the established superpowers of the tournament, even though there is imbalance in trophies; Trinbago have five and Guyana one (the seven runners-up spots continue to smart).

This season, though, it looks as though Trinbago's powers are on the wane. Four defeats in six has put a play-off spot in doubt.  Another loss here would put them four points from fourth with three to play. Age may be a factor. Colin Munro is 39, Sunil Narine 38, Kieron Pollard 39 and Alex Hales 37.

The balance of their XI looks all wrong, too, with Hales down at No 6. They have badly missed Justin Greaves, whose groin injury means he has yet to make an appearance.

Defeat by Jamaica last time out was tough to take, not least because it opened up a four-point gap between them and the Kingsmen. Trinbago looked set for a monster score with Munro and Narine rapid in the powerplay. But they fell away badly to post 180 when well over 200 was reachable at 101 for no wicket in the ninth.

Guyana have played only three times, which is ridiculous considering Falcons, top of the table, are eight matches in. They have their home leg of matches to come so will catch up quickly. They have a 100% record with Kings, Falcons and Kingsmen despatched with ease.

The match odds market recognises the shift. Trinbago are outsiders at 2.1011/10 on the Betfair Exchange and 1/12.00 with Betfair Sportsbook. That is surely a first for their home matches at Queen's Park Oval.

There is a toss bias for the chaser at the venue so any takers of Guyana's price pre-toss would be well minded to be cautious.

The best advice is to bet in-play. With Guyana chasing and Trinbago set up for fast starts it should be possible to get with the visitors at odds-against. Guyana can turn the screw outside of the powerplay.

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Tridents CPL Tips

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots v Barbados Tridents
Wednesday 2 September 00.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Barbados Tridents have the chance to get their campaign back on tack after their fast start was checked. They opened with two straight wins only to lose their next two. Playing bottom-of-the-pile Patriots is the perfect opportunity.

Patriots would need to win all their remaining games to make the top four but the probability is that even that wouldn't be enough given it only gets them to 11 points. The washout against Falcons on Monday was their last chance.

The good news is that the weather forecast for Basseterre for the coming week is good. That means we can start hitting runs markets on what is the best batting wicket in the tournament.

We are yet to see the monster totals but, in truth, we don't need them. Not being greedy is the way to go. We identified as both teams to score 170 as the clear value for the Falcons game and we see no reason to change our mind. That has won in six of the last ten. We could get as big as 15/82.88, just as was offered for the previous match. A cut to 9/52.80 or 7/42.75 would be fine.

Bookmark Betting.Betfair for cricket tips on all the big games and tournaments