Oval Invincibles vs Welsh Fire Prediction: A 6/1 play on pace bowler double

The Invincibles were hit by a Liam Livingstone blitz at Edgbaston and will be looking to bounce back on Saturday against a Fire outfit who are finally on the board.  

Dan Thomas takes a look at the two teams and best betting angles as he brings us his Oval Invincibles vs Welsh Fire prediction… 

*You can check out all of our Cricket Odds over at betfred.com

Invincibles left reeling by record chase 

The Invincibles lost their 100% record at Edgbaston last time out, as Birmingham Phoenix chased down 181 to win by four wickets - the highest run chase in Hundred history  

Donovan Ferreira had rescued a stuttering Invincibles top-order, smashing 63 from 29 balls, with Jordan Cox's 44 and late fireworks from Rashid Khan helping them get to what looked like a winning total.  

But the Phoenix chase, led by Liam Livingstone's breathtaking 69 not out off just 27 balls, stole the show. Livingstone bludgeoned 26 runs in a Rashid Khan set and finished with five sixes to seal victory with two balls to spare.  

Sam Billings' captaincy is rarely criticised but he will probably rue bowling the expensive Tom Curran in the penultimate set rather than Saqib Mahmood, whose two wickets in the final set came too late in the day.  

Fire get off the mark 

Welsh Fire finally broke their winless streak with a hard-fought triumph over Manchester Originals in Cardiff.  

Batting first, Fire managed 137 for 8, thanks to solid innings from Steven Smith and Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who both contributed 26.  

But it was the bowlers who won them the contest: Chris Green tied up the middle overs with his canny spin, while Riley Meredith's electric pace resulted in a match-winning 4 for 9 as Manchester Originals folded for 112. 

Pitch & conditions 

The Hundred men's average first innings at the Oval is 152, though recent seasons have seen highs and lows, with 2023 averaging 171 and 2024 falling dramatically to 115. The surface offers true bounce and rapid outfields, but with just enough help for seamers up front and spin in the middle overs. Weather looks set fair for Saturday, with temperatures around 25°C and little threat of rain. 

Key Odds  

Despite that defeat, Invincibles still sit top of the table on net run rate with five teams all on eight points. They have a 100% record in this fixture and are rated an 8/15 chance to continue the run, with Fire priced up at 6/4.  

Will Jacks and Tamanda Muyeye absolutely destroyed Manchester Originals last time out at the Oval, smashing 61 and 59 respectively at strike rates well above 200, and they head the top batter market for Invincibles at 9/4 and 7/2. The big hitting Ferrera is rated a 9/1 chance to repeat his top scoring efforts from the Phoenix game.  

He's failed to get going yet, but the traders remain convinced Smith will fire at some point and he's 14/5 to top score for Fire, with opening partner Jonny Bairstow at 10/3 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore a 9/2 shot.  

*You can check out all the latest and live Oval Invincibles vs Welsh Fire Odds over on betfred.com

Best Bets 

After that incredible showing from Jacks and Muyeye against the Originals, I was surprised to see Invincibles rated as 10/11 outsiders in the Highest Opening Partnership market, for all that Smith and Bairstow must surely click soon. That's our main selection for Saturday's game.  

I'll also have a small stakes play on Mahmood and Meredith to continue their good wicket-taking form and back the 6/1 on both to take 2+ wickets.  

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 20pts 
• Returned: 9.89pts 
• P/L: -10.11pts