THE EDGE: The Edge previews The Hundred clash between Birmingham Phoenix v Trent Rockets with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Birmingham Phoenix v Trent Rockets
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The pressure is on at The Hundred as we kick off the final week on Betdaq Betting Exchange. We start with Birmingham Phoenix hosting Trent Rockets on Monday evening, and these two are going to be heavily involved in that race for third. As things stand, Birmingham Phoenix are in a better position with eight points while Trent Rockets only have six. You have to call this a must win game for Trent Rockets – they only have two games left after all and they have to win both. Oval Invincibles and Southern Brave have looked the top two sides in the tournament this season, and it’s highly likely that those two sides will sit in the top two spots.
That leaves third open, and Birmingham Phoenix are definitely the favourites for that spot but they have to finish the job. After a shocking start when they went 89 all out in the opening game of the tournament, they have done very well since then. Most importantly too, it now looks like Moeen Ali is hitting form at just the right time. They moved him to the top of the order, he had no pressure chasing 83 from Northern Superchargers and finished not out. Then he scored 60 when chasing 146/8 from Welsh Fire.
Trent Rockets should be higher in the table. They have a lot of quality in their squad, but they have thrown away at least three winning positions. You could argue they could easily be six from six! The middle order collapsed twice with the game in their hands against Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire, then they had Southern Brave beaten until a great knock from Pollard. This should be a good game!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Edgbaston is usually a brilliant place to bat in white ball cricket. They have back-loaded their games here so we’ve only had two games here this season – Southern Brave won with 169/2 and then Northern Superchargers were all out for 83. Quite a range of scores there, but I would definitely lean towards a decent scoring game here. That being said, the trend at the Hundred this season has been pretty low scores so it’s shrewd to not trust any batting side at the moment!
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s interesting to see Birmingham Phoenix as the favourites here at 1.9; my opinion is that we have two very solid sides here and I’d have it as a 50/50 game. Obviously you’d have to have a worry about Trent Rockets throwing away winning positions, but overall they have played good cricket to get into those positions. The squads are very similar in quality, and you would say that Birmingham Phoenix need good knocks from their key players. I see this being a very even game, with someone doing something special to be the difference.
The Edge Says:
One point win Trent Rockets to beat Birmingham Phoenix at 2.06 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/BirTre
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I don’t see a major in-running edge here based on playing conditions. I don’t feel batting or bowling first will offer an edge here, and something no trade is the best option when there’s no clear edge. I feel both sides are very similar, and this is definitely a game for small stakes – we’ve had a range of scores here and as I said above, the trend in the Hundred has been low scores but Edgbaston is usually a good place to bat. I feel the best in-running trade might be taking on the Birmingham Phoenix middle order, especially if Ali goes early at the top.
