Welsh Fire vs Trent Rockets Prediction: Jumping back aboard the TKC Train

Fire kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a good win in Birmingham while the Rockets were overwhelmed in their top-of-the-table clash at the Oval.  

Dan Thomas assesses the two teams and picks out the best betting angles for Sunday's match, live on Sky Sports from 14:30, as he brings us his Welsh Fire vs Trent Rockets predictions… 

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

Welsh Fire 

Fire picked up their second win of the campaign last time out, chasing down 139 to beat Birmingham Phoenix with 11 balls to spare, for the loss of only two wickets.  

Steve Smith anchored the chase with 47 not out from 36 balls - his highest score of the tournament - while Stephen Eskinazi provided early spark with 42 off 29 and Jonny Bairstow chipped in 35. 

Chris Green starred with the ball, picking up three wickets, while Riley Meredith continued his good form, snaffling two wickets - taking his tournament total to nine - and Ben Kellaway had a debut to remember, taking 2-10 from 15 deliveries, taking a catch and effecting a run-out.  

Trent Rockets 

Rockets suffered only their second defeat of the campaign at the Oval as the Invincibles chased down 173 with six wickets and 11 balls to spare.  

Despite a strong 76 from Joe Root, the Rockets batting line-up failed to sustain momentum past the powerplay and the lack of middle-order acceleration proved costly; only three other players made double figures. 

Rehan Ahmed was the standout bowler for the Rockets, taking 2 for 25, but Sam Cook had a night to forget; he was hit for 32 off one set by Sam Curran, the most expensive five balls in Hundred history.  

Pitch & conditions 

Sophia Gardens hasn't been a high-scoring ground in the Hundred, with an average first innings score of 125, and none over 200. The highest score this year has been 163 and anything over 150 is typically competitive. It's forecast to be a warm and dry afternoon in Cardiff, with a light breeze.   

Key odds 

Fire are the 11/10 outsiders here, with Rockets rated an 8/11 chance. Despite that impressive win at Edgbaston for the hosts, these prices look about right - Rockets have been far more consistent across the tournament.  

Smith finally hit some form in Birmingham and he's the 14/5 favourite to top score for Fire, with Bairstow at 10/3 and Eskinazi a 4/1 shot. We had a nice 9/2 winner on Tom Kohler-Cadmore on Wednesday and he's a standout price at 11/2. 

That man Root heads the market for Rockets at 3/1, with Tom Banton at 10/3. Ahmed looks looks like the value here at 5/1; he's been top class with bat and ball all tournament.  

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

Best Bets 

After Kohler-Cadmore delivered for us against Southern Brave, we'll go in again at a bigger price. In what has been a low scoring pitch, he could win this with a breezy 30. And we'll top up by backing the classy Ahmed to beat his runs line; it looks low at 16.5.  

Dan Thomas 2025 Cricket P/L:

• Staked: 28.5pts 
• Returned: 22.67pts 
• P/L: -5.33pts 

Find more Cricket Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights