THE EDGE: previews The Hundred Eliminator between Manchester Originals v Southern Brave with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s playoff time at the Hundred on Saturday as we have the Eliminator on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. Manchester Originals face Southern Brave for a chance to meet Oval Invincibles in the Final on Sunday at Lord’s. Oval Invincibles topped the group quite easily, and to be honest that never really looked in doubt. It was a very tight race for these two playoff places – indeed Southern Brave needed to beat Manchester Originals on Wednesday to get into the top three after Welsh Fire had won on Tuesday.
Southern Brave played Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals in their final two group games, so you’d have to say that was the ideal prep for the playoffs. A lot of focus heading into this match will be on the game between the sides on Wednesday which Southern brave won by six wickets – they chased down 130/8 with five balls spare. It was a decent performance, but let’s not forget that Manchester Originals knew they couldn’t be caught, and they also knew they couldn’t make it into first so it was a nothing game for them. The real test is now!
The Originals have a blockbuster batting line-up with Phil Salt, Jose Buttler, Laurie Evans and Wayne Madsen leading the way. Their bowling is a little light on paper, but it has fired during this tournament. Southern Brave have a better bowling line-up on paper lead by the likes of Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills – not forgetting Mitchell Santner too! I feel the game will be decided by who wins that battle with the new ball when Manchester Originals bat – Southern Brave simply need early wickets. A fascinating game awaits.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Both playoff games are in London. We have the Eliminator at the Ovals before moving across town to Lord’s for the Final. The Oval is usually an excellent venue for exciting cricket, and we usually get a wicket that’s good for batting too. The first inning scores here this summer have been; 138/6 (tied), 186/5 (won), 189/4 (won) and 148/7 (chased). Oval Invincibles have batted very well here so perhaps we can reduce the score needed but I would suggest the side who bats first has to be aiming for at least 160 here. Manchester Originals will be hoping for forget their game here, they lost by 94 runs!
RECOMMENDED BET:
This should be a cracking game. It’s not a surprise to see the sides so close together in the market – this is really a 50/50 game. I agree with the odds here, so I’ll be keeping stakes very low. Although Southern Brave beat them this week, I do like Manchester Originals at 1.97 or better here. Their top order is fantastic with the bat, and they should get good batting conditions here too. I said above Southern Brave will need early wickets, and conditions just might not suit that. A small bet on the Originals for me.
The Edge Says:
One point win Manchester Originals to beat Southern Brave at 1.97 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/OriBra
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
With the sides so close together in the betting, we’re going to have a few flip-flops early in the game. I feel the toss is important here – with good batting conditions you want to bat first. I would definitely be happy supporting either side when batting first here; we’ve had some pretty high scores and you can always trade out at the innings break if you fancy the chasing side. I know the new ball has moved around during this tournament, but if the Manchester Originals can see off the new ball they could really cash in here.
