Click here for Seattle Orcas v Texas Super Kings match odds
Sunday 5 July, 22:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Seattle Orcas v Texas Super Kings MLC Tips
Super Kings sit bottom of the table currently in MLC. They've not done a huge amount wrong with three wins from seven but such is the tight nature of the contest this season that they are on the floor due to a poor net run rate. They are the only team in the red. On points only they are joint third.
Now would be a good time to put a sequence of scores together. With two losses in two they badly need to stop the rot. They failed to defend 173 against LA last time. That has to be classed as a hugely disappointing effort in the field on a Pomona surface which is not exactly a road. There was plenty of help for their bowlers but they were blitzed by Rovman Powell.
What Super Kings need is a good hit from Faf Du Plessis. Faf has been the main man in MLC since its inception but he has hit a rocky patch. We don't believe that a chronic loss of form exists in T20 for openers. It is part of their role to have inconsistent scores because of the high level of risk they take. One day the ball goes straight up, the next it goes out the ground.
Sportsbook offer over 21.5 runs for Faf. For someone who is elite at this level, it is a cheap quote. They pay 5/61.84 and it is probably the most solid option for the game. Remember that after game one of this tournament when he smashed a ton, he had a 50% win rate on top bats over the MLC history.
Back Faf Du Plessis over 21.5 runs
MINY v San Francisco Unicorns odds
Monday 6 July, 02:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports
MI New York v San Francisco Unicorns MLC Tips
MINY are the holders and they have worked hard to put themselves in a position of potential dominance in the ladder. A win here would see them open up clear water from the second-placed team, Washington Freedom.
They have now won three in a row. On Saturday they scrapped to a six-wicket win over LA. Chasing 166 it went to the penultimate ball with Kieron Pollard rolling back the years with 63 off 35. Pollard's performances in this tournament are further evidence in the gulf between the haves and have nots.
Pollard was once truly elite in this format. Age has, of course, taken its toll. But considering he can still perform at a high level (he hit a century in MINY's first game this term) at 39 it does suggest the standard of the league is low. There are certainly tiered franchise leagues in terms of ability with IPL way out in front. The MLC would have to be ranked bottom or close to.
This explains why the likes of Quinton de Kock and Nic Pooran have massive win rates on top bat. Dovetailing between the two is a perfectly acceptable strategy and it might be time to have a dart on Pooran for his third win. For Unicorns, Finn Allen is due a hit. The way to play him might be the two sixes or more market. We await Sportsbook prices.