Southern Brave v Manchester Originals predictions: Brave could suffer early blow

Free cricket tips, best bets and analysis for Southern Brave v Manchester Originals in The Hundred men's and women's matches on Thursday.

Where to watch

Southern Brave v Manchester Originals
Men's Hundred
Sky Sports Cricket, Main Event & Mix, 7pm Thursday

Women's Hundred
Sky Sports Mix, 3.30pm Thursday

Best bets

Manchester Originals to have higher opening partnership
2pts 10-11 bet365

Manchester Originals most run-outs (fielding)
1pt 5-2 bet365

Match previews

Southern Brave started the defence of their men's Hundred title with a crushing nine-wicket victory over Welsh Fire but things look less rosy at the Rose Bowl after three straight defeats.

England pacemen Chris Jordan and Tymal Mills are sidelined by injuries and Quinton de Kock, one of the Brave's star overseas signings, has scored just 56 in his last eight innings in Hundred and Twenty20 cricket.

De Kock's opening partner James Vince has also been out cheaply in his last three games and Manchester Originals openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt are worth backing to post a higher first-wicket partnership.

The England pair put on 66 from 35 balls to help the Originals to a first win of the season against the Fire last time out and in the Brave's last three games they have conceded centuries to openers Will Smeed of Birmingham Phoenix and Will Jacks of Oval Invincibles.

Southern Brave Women are hot favourites to make it three wins out of three when they host the Originals although running between the wickets has been a slight issue in their first two victories.

Opener Danni Wyatt was run out for a brilliant 65 against London Spirit in their opening game and three Brave batters were dismissed the same way in the final four balls of their innings against the Invincibles last weekend.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport