Major League Cricket Tips Matches 1 and 2: LA story set to be another horror show

Click here for Texas Super Kings v Seattle Orcas odds
Friday 19 June, 01.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Texas Super Kings v Seattle Orcas MLC Tips

The Super Kings and the Orcas get the fourth edition of the MLC underway in Dallas, just down the road from the mega venue where another tournament which the Yanks struggle to comprehend is taking place. At least the beer and tickers are cheap for this one, though.

Texas, the hosts, produced a solid season last term to finish third in the ladder. They have very much gone for continuity as they aim for incremental improvement. Three consecutive third-place finishes has them down as high on reliability in the league stage.

Orcas are the opposite. A fifth-placed finish in 2025 was at least an improvement on last place. They have had a major revamp, most notably moving on from the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Warner. Marcus Stoinis is the new skip and there is a lot to like about their recruitment.

With the bat they have paired Kiwis Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson. With the ball Lungi Ngidi and Ottniel Baartman are a South African one-two. It could mean they have strong balance. It's a shame Waqar Salmkheil is not part of the roster this time, though, as that would have been the cherry on the top.

It is early days, of course, but man for man Orcas may have the edge. The early show on the Exchange suggests the match odds agrees with the contest settling down as a choice affair.

The Super Kings may be a little over reliant on the veteran Faf Du Plessis. Faf has looked a little past it elsewhere but Stateside he has thrived. In the last two editions of MLC he has a win-rate on top bats at a massive 47%. Sportsbook go 23/103.30.

The pitch at the Grand Prairie Stadium is beginning to bed in as a natural, permanent strip. In the 2024 edition run-making was tricky with an average run rate of 8.52. That figure rose to 9.63 in 2025. It was some leap. It would be fair to reckon that the wicket, given the temperatures in the region, should be flat and firm.

In 2025 eight of the 13 might matches were won by the chaser. More than 190 was busted eight times, including 220 or more copping three times.

Click here for LA Knight Riders v San Francisco Unicorns odds
Friday 19 June, 21.30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

LA Knight Riders v San Francisco Unicorns IPL Tips

Although the portents are good for the MLC getting a foothold in the franchise ecosystem, domestically they do need the the glamorous city teams to make an impact domestically. Americans hate losers and the LA team are the epitome.

In three editions they have managed only five wins. Their finishes of 6-5-6 has made it difficult to reckon they are a team who have been taking the tournament seriously. There has been a hint of unprofessionalism about them. Will they improve?

Probably not. A major squad overhaul was required. Alex Hales, whose powers are on the wane, remains while there is over-reliability on Sunil Narine and Andre Russell producing when they are in the years of diminishing returns. There does appear to be a chronic lack of bowling nous with Jason Holder the only standout.

Against the Unicorns in particular on a probable flat pitch that could be a real problem. Unicorns are set up to go extremely hard in the powerplay with Matt Short and Finn Allen poised to reprise their dangerous opening partnership. On the numbers this pitches the worst bowling team for economy (LA, naturally) against the second-best for batting strike rate.

That is the strongest angle to attack for betting. Any hint of a choice affair on six-over score should be snaffled on Unicorns. A straight match play on SFU is not out of the question, either. A price in the region of 1.804/5 is a possibility in play.

In terms of players to follow there are two of the stronger batters involved. Short wins at 38% for Unicorns on top bats and Unmukt Chand 40%. That latter number is a surprise as we don't have the American down as elite. Short is 11/43.75. Chand is way out of line at 5/16.00 so we have to play.

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