International League T20 Tips Matches Nine and 10: Time for a Pooran power show

• No chase bias for Abu Dhabi matches

• Vipers three from three

• Rashid Khan in for Emirates

• Giants vulnerable batting first

• Read the ILT20 team guide HERE

MI Emirates v Desert Vipers
Tuesday 8 December, 14:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

MI Emirates v Desert Vipers ILT20 tips

Desert Vipers are top of the table with three wins from three after a thriller in Dubai on Monday night. They tied with Gulf Giants' 179 in the chase despite being way behind at the halfway point. 

They do face a challenge later on in the tournament. As ever we have to be aware of the potential for player churn and with Sam Curran and David Payne both listed in Big Bash squads (that tournament starts on Sunday) it is not clear how long they are available for.

Getting reliable team news is harder than the betting itself. Consider Rashid Khan suddenly turning up to play for MI Emirates as a late replacement for Jordan Thompson. Rashid won't be available for the whole tournament and is expected to leave around December 20 for the SAT20.

These sides clash in Abu Dhabi. Unlike Dubai and Sharjah, the toss is not that crucial in ILT20 night matches. From 16 matches, nine have been won by the team batting first. A reversal of the toss trend seen at the other two venues.  In all T20 night matches the split is 52 from 95 for the chaser but the trend is not significant enough to play when we have two grounds with such clear bias to focus on.

Vipers will probably go off at around the 2.206/5 mark once the match odds market matures. We value their efficiency ahead of Emirates, who have a tendency to rely on individual brilliance instead of team ethic. 

Talking of superstars, Nic Pooran is 0/2 on top bat and it may pay to get involved, particularly as he batted at No 3 last time. Sportsbook offer 13/53.60. That's a 28% chance and we know Pooran wins at 35% in this tournament.

Gulf Giants v Sharjah Warriors
Wednesday 10 December, 14:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Gulf Giants v Sharjah Warriors ILT20 tips

Giants are probably feeling a little sore after surrendering points for the first time this season against Vipers. But they have only themselves to blame. Defending 179 they had the game in their pocket with their opponents reduced to 62 for four in the ninth.

Their selections in the Super Over were baffling. Needing 14 to get over the line from six balls one would have thought they'd have decided to use Pathnum Nissanka who had earlier hit 56 from 29. And maybe pair him with Azmatullah Omarzai who had struck at 153.

Instead their brains trust went with Moeen Ali (who scored 11 from 11) and Tom Moores (10 from eight). Surprisingly they didn't get within a whisker.

This sort of thinking is a majory worry for our outright bet on Gulf Giants. And it's certainly enough to make Sharjah look like value on the match odds market from at least 2.3611/8. We will bet them if they bat second bearing in mind the whopping Dubai toss bias for the chaser.

Now read our dedicated Ashes section here.