THE EDGE: The Edge previews The Hundred Eliminator clash between Birmingham Phoenix v Southern Brave with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Eliminator: Birmingham Phoenix v Southern Brave
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s Playoff time at the Hundred on Betdaq Betting Exchange as Birmingham Phoenix face off with Southern Brave on Saturday. It’s a dramatic final two days that saw Southern Brave’s game rained off which meant they only finished on 11 points – they were very lucky there because they were 21/2 chasing 181/5. Birmingham Phoenix had the advantage of playing in the final fixture and in a very rain effected game, and they won a 30 ball game. In the end it didn’t really matter which way they finished – Oval Invincibles were always going to top the group and then second and third would face off here for a chance to reach the Final.
The way the Hundred works; there’s no home advantage in the playoffs but the unlucky side were Northern Superchargers this year. They had 11 points and played their final game before the top three. Without the rain in the Southern Brave game, they would have been here because Southern Brave were in a terrible position. That’s the way things swing however; you can’t trust the weather in England! These two sides have been consistent right throughout the tournament; obviously we have had a lot of debate about low scores and maybe low quality/crowds. It will be interesting to see the crowds for the Playoffs in London the weekend now!
Birmingham Phoenix appear to be peaking at the right time in my opinion. They have got Moeen Ali into form, and their bowling is absolutely firing. Southern Brave have been a top side, but Birmingham Phoenix come into this game with all the momentum with four wins in a row. We should have a cracking game on our hands.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We’re at the Oval for the Eliminator before we move to Lord’s on Sunday for the Final. The Oval is usually a place where you really look forward to batting in white ball cricket but the scores here this season have been very low. We’ve had first inning scores of 89 all out (chased), 145/5 (won), 118/8 (chased) and 96 all out (chased). These two sides have played here this season and their batting flopped – 89 all out and 118/8. The way things have gone in the Hundred this season, it’s hard to trust any batting side! Players have been blaming the logo on the ball, and now they’ve moved on to calling the wickets “tired!”
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s no surprise to see a pretty even market here. Birmingham Phoenix are the favourites at 1.93, and I feel there’s still a small bit of value left in that price. As I said above, they have peaked at the right time with an excellent finish in the group stage and now they have plenty of confidence heading into this game. Southern Brave got very lucky to be here this week with their bowlers going around the park. Although the Birmingham Phoenix batting is coming good, their bowlers have been very impressive lately. That will be the difference here in my opinion.
The Edge Says:
Two points win Birmingham Phoenix to beat Southern Brave at 1.93 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/BrmSou
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Given the scores have been so low here this season, it’s hard to have a huge amount of faith in either batting side. I would take a very cautious approach to opening trades on either batting side – you’d definitely lean towards bowling first looking at how the games have gone this season too. I really like the Birmingham Phoenix bowling at the moment, so supporting them will offer the best in-running trade in my opinion.
