USA vs Ireland Prediction: Team USA up to the task in Lauderhill

The first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 to be staged at Central Broward Park, Lauderhill is a nail-biting Group A clash between co-hosts the United States of American and Ireland on Friday (15:30).

Here's my USA vs Ireland predictions as team USA bid to secure a spot in the Super 8s and Ireland attempt to rebuild their own pride.

USA vs Ireland Odds

The United States are 11/8 to win the game and book a spot in the Super 8s, with an Ireland victory priced at 4/7.

Ireland are available at 1/1 to hit the most sixes in the match, while their left-arm seamer Josh Little is 13/5 to be his side’s leading wicket taker.

United States to win @ 11/8

The United States began the tournament with a bang, beating Canada in an exhibition of six-hitting in Dallas before upsetting Pakistan in a dramatic finish that was decided by a Super Over.

Their momentum was checked by powerhouses India on Wednesday, but they still have it all to play for while Ireland are realistically already eliminated from Super Eights contention.

The Green and Whites were thrashed by India in their opener and then slipped up to the Maple Leafers in New York, but they will know more about this ground after splitting a bilateral T20 series with the US 1-1 a couple of years ago.

However, Ireland did not put their know-how to good use in a pre-tournament warm-up loss at Lauderhill against Sri Lanka and the Lankans’ subsequent results in this competition make Ireland’s form seem worse.

The US might feel the pressure at some stage, but they were able to execute well enough in the clutch against Pakistan and may do so again on Friday.

United States Top Wicket Taker - Saurabh Netravalkar @ 4/1

Medium-fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar claimed figures of 5-59 across the two games these nations played in late 2021 and has so far looked to be the pick of Team USA’s attack in this tournament.

He took the prize wickets of both Indian openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma cheaply on Wednesday and will be feeling 10 feet tall right now.

The left-armer used his natural angle to dismiss the Indian greats and should be licking his lips at the Irish batting line-up, which has failed to fire so far and is packed with right-handers.

Netravalkar also took two wickets against Pakistan, as well as one in the Super Over as his side claimed a shock victory.