NK vs WF Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Mar 17, 2021

NK vs WF Match Prediction - Mar 17, 2021

It is pretty remarkable how fortunes can change with the change in format. Wellington Firebirds looked down and out in the longer format of the game but were sharp in the subsequently concluded Super Smash. They ended Super Smash on a high, taking the title home. They'll be looking to take this form into the longer version of the game as they take on Northern Knights in the upcoming Plunkett Shield encounter. The match is to be played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Thursday, 18th March 2021.

NK vs WF Team Previews

Northern Knights

Northern Knights will be pretty disappointed by the outcome of their last match. They were in a position to dictate terms, but rain disruption made the result impossible. At the moment, the Knights stand at the second spot on the points table with 48 points in five matches. Had they won the last match, which looked a probable outcome, the Knights would have been in a lot better team.

Nonetheless, Northern Knights will be keen and confident to do well in the upcoming match. So far, they have lost just a couple of matches and have won as many. Also, the Knights had a fantastic Super Smash and will be brimming with confidence going into the upcoming match.

Overall, there are not many teams in the competition that look as strong as the Northern Knights, at least on paper. Scott Kuggeleijn and Neil Wagner were mightly effective against the Aces in the previous match and they'll once again be the pillars, on which their bowling unit will rest. With the bat, they have specialists in Jeet Raval and Ben Watling, who both did pretty well. Apart from them, the Knights have a decent lower middle-order with most of their bowlers capable to bat. Given the depth of their batting and the overall experience the team has, beating the Knights is going to take a huge effort.

Northern Knights Playing 11

Jeet Raval, Henry Cooper, Tim Seifert, Joe Carter, BJ Watling, Scott Kuggeleijn, Brett Hampton, Ish Sodhi, Neil Wagner, Joe Walker, Zak Gibson.


Wellington Firebirds

Wellington Firebirds had an excellent Super Smash as they claimed the title with significant ease. However, their run in the longest format of the game isn't anywhere near what they would have wanted it to be. They currently have 18 points to their name and haven't won any game yet. It's high time for the Firebirds to start doing well if they want to stay in the hunt.

Just as was expected, Wellington Firebirds continued their poor run of form in the longer version as they suffered a massive loss at the hand of Central Stags. Bowling first on a difficult surface, the Firebirds looked in a decent position at the end of the first innings, but could not utilize the advantage as they themselves crashed for a total of 104. Eventually, they were set to chase a total of 317 but managed to score only 256.

Prior to that, however, Wellington did reasonably well in the fourth Plunkett Shield match as they were able to salvage a draw against the Aces. However, it would be a more difficult and a different challenge for them to face an in-form Northern Knights side. On paper, the Firebirds are terrific side featuring the likes of Devon Conway and Michael Bracewell. They both are in terrific touch and scored daddy hundreds in the last shield game they played. However, their bowling attack looks to be a little fragile. If their bowlers manage to do well, Wellington will be in with a big chance.

Wellington Firebirds Playing 11

Tom Blundell, Luke Georgeson, Michael Bracewell, Troy Johnson, Jamie Gibson, Peter Younghusband, Logan van Beek, Lauchie Johns, Iain McPeake, Ben Sears, Jakob Bhula.

NK vs WF Betting Tips

The two teams are currently at almost the opposite ends of the points table and that has been visible on the field as well. While the Knights looked to be a more confident team in the last match, Wellington looked to be exactly the opposite of that. They'll want to bring out the game they played in the shortest version, but that will not be easy. On the other hand, the Knights seem to be doing pretty well and are, therefore, our pick for the upcoming Plunkett Shield encounter.

Today Match Prediction

Northern Knights To Win the Match, 1.58

Bet Tip Here

Who will win NK vs WF

Northern Knights 77.8% (35)
Wellington Firebirds 22.2% (10)
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