International League Matches Eleven & Twelve Tips: Holder bet at 33s a standout

• No chase bias for Abu Dhabi matches

• Emirates probably underrated

• Rashid Khan in for Emirates

• Giants vulnerable batting first

• Read the ILT20 team guide HERE

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v MI Emirates
Thursday 11 December, 14:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders v MI Emirates  ILT20 tips

Both teams are three games in and appear to be sticking to the formbook. Knight Riders have lost their last two while Emirates also have two defeats. Knight Riders are reliably flaky while Emirates need time to get going. 

Both will perhaps be glad that this not a toss-bias dominated game. The contest takes place in Abu Dhabi where there is no trend to hang a bet on, or cause fear for the skips at the flip.

There has been one game so far played at Abu Dhabi; the Vipers beating Emirates by one run defending 159. The run rate in the 17 night matches in ILT20 is 7.9 so Vipers were pretty much bang on. The unders for Emirates match runs at 166.5 at 5/61.84 with Sportsbook has immediate appeal, then, particularly as ADKR have a stinker in them.

With that in mind it may be slightly surprising that Emirates are 1.804/5 for this one. We would have expected shorter as, man for man, they are superior particularly as Rashid Khan is now in the XI.

Nic Pooran is probably a swerve for top bat at the odds. He was back down to No 4 and pipped by three last time. It's a red line that he doesn't bat first down when the odds are so skinny at 13/53.60. 

There is value for ADKR top bat, though. Jason Holder is underrated at 33s. He has batted as high as No 5 for this team and, really, the win was there for the taking for him last time out. 

Desert Vipers v Gulf Giants
Friday 12 December, 14:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Desert Vipers v Gulf Giants ILT20 tips

Vipers are four from four and Giants are hanging on to their coattails just behind in second place with three wins. However, Vipers have been more impressive.

Twice in a row the Giants have been unconvincing in terms of smarts on show. As discussed previously their selection of hitters in a Super Over against Vipers was, frankly, bizarre, and they then made hard work of getting up to beat Sharjah with a chase bias in their favour on Wednesday.

The six-wicket margin against Warriors looked comfortable enough but they lost control at the end of the Sharjah innings and then got into a hole with the bat. Moeen Ali and Gerhard Erasmus were on a go slow and put pressure on those to come needlessly. They squeezed home with two balls to spare.

Giants are being fired by Sri Lankan opener Pathnum Nissanka but it was good to see James Vince back in the opening slot. His form is good and he is overdue a top-bat win so the 10/34.33 from Sportsbook has appeal. 

Vipers' own hitter, Fakhar Zaman, has been quiet so far but is also in the win zone and arguably should be shorter on ability. He really should be dominating in the style of Nissanka. Sportsbook go 7/24.50.

In terms of match odds, Giants are somehow priced as favs on an early show at 1.774/5. Vipers have to be the bet if the Dubai toss bias is in their favour at a choice affair therefore. 

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