London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix predictions: Phoenix could prove a big hit

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix in the Men's Hundred and Women's Hundred on Tuesday.

Where to watch

London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix
Men's Hundred
Sky Sports Cricket, Main Event & Mix, 6.30pm Tuesday

Women's Hundred
Sky Sports Cricket, Main Event & Mix, 3pm Tuesday

Best bets

Birmingham Phoenix Men to hit more sixes v London Spirit Men
Sky Sports Cricket, Main Event & Mix, 6.30pm Tuesday
2pts 10-11 Betfred

Sophie Molineux top Birmingham Phoenix Women runscorer
Sky Sports Cricket, Main Event & Mix, 3pm Tuesday
1pt 16-1 bet365, Hills

London Spirit v Birmingham Phoenix preview

A victory for London Spirit Men over Birmingham Phoenix at Lord's would confirm their place in The Hundred playoffs but Eoin Morgan's side have lost two of their last three matches after a flying start to the season.

The Spirit, bottom of the table last summer, won their first four games in 2022 and are favourites to see off a Phoenix side missing leading runscorer Liam Livingstone due to an ankle injury.

In Livingstone's absence, Birmingham recorded the lowest total in men's Hundred history – 75 all out – against Manchester Originals on Sunday and they require a comprehensive win to have a chance of pipping the Originals and Oval Invincibles to a playoff spot on net run-rate.

A top order featuring Will Smeed and England star Moeen Ali is capable of fireworks and the Phoenix are worth backing to hit more sixes than the Spirit. Since Glenn Maxwell left for Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe, London have hit fewer maximums than their opponents in all three of their games.

A win or a tie would take Phoenix Women into the playoffs and they have a great opportunity against a Spirit side who have lost four of their first five fixtures.

The Spirit were bowled out for just 80 in Saturday's nine-wicket thrashing by the Invincibles although Birmingham also suffered a batting collapse last time out, slipping to 22-5 on their way to a home defeat against the Originals on Sunday.

Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been batting at number five for the Phoenix and she looks overpriced at 16-1 to top-score having started the season with knocks of 29 not out against Welsh Fire and 24 off 13 balls against Northern Superchargers.

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