Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

LAKR vs SFU Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report MLC 2023 Match 8 | LAKR vs SFU Dream11 Prediction Today | Grand Prairie Stadium Pitch Report

It’s go time for Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR). After two defeats, including a horror 50 all-out in a game they looked liked winning against MI New York, LAKR must win this match with the MLC playoffs looming.

San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) are better placed. After a magnificent display by Corey Anderson that led the team to victory against New York, the power of the team batting first was on show again as the Unicorns fell short against Seattle. Every player in the top six crossed double-figures, with only Shadab Khan (37) making more than 28. Indeed, this is an area of focus today.

For LAKR, their death bowling and top order batting is in the spotlight. They have mustered just 162 runs in two matches so far, with only Unmukt Chand (26) making double figures in their horror show a few nights ago. The time is now to turn it all around otherwise an early exit awaits next week.

LAKR vs SFU Match Details

• Location Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas.
• Date: 18 July (USA)
• Time: 7:30pm (local), 6:00am (IST, 19 July)

LAKR vs SFU Possible Playing XIs

Jason Roy should be available for LAKR after the completion of the Vitality Blast.

Los Angeles Knight Riders: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Unmukt Chand, 3. Rilee Rossouw, 4. Nitish Kumar, 5. Jaskaran Malhotra (wk), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Sunil Narine (c), 8. Corné Dry, 8. Adam Zampa, 9. Ali Khan, 11. Lockie Ferguson

San Francisco Unicorns: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Matthew Wade (wk), 3. Marcus Stoinis, 4. Aaron Finch (c), 5. Corey Anderson, 6. Shadab Khan, 7. Tajinder Singh, 8. Chaitanya Bishnoi, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Carmi le Roux

LAKR vs SFU Dream11 Prediction: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Los Angeles Knight Riders:

• Jason Roy can give LAKR a big boost. In franchise T20s this year, Roy has struck 794 runs at an average of 28.4 and strike rate of 140. He has made scores of 12, 45, 28, 50 and 13 in his last five T20s.
• LAKR needs more from Rilee Rossouw. Batting first can unlock his best. In all T20s since the start of 2022, Rossouw has scored 1,293 runs at an average of 39.18 and strike rate of 167.05 in the first innings. In the second, the average and strike rate drops to 27.12 and 162.81.
• Andre Russell is crucial to his team’s hopes. When chasing this year, Russell has slammed 313 runs at an average of 26.1 and strike rate of 156.5.
• Sunil Narine can keep Marcus Stoinis quiet. He has total figures of 1/31 off 35 balls against him in T20s. Also, Narine has dismissed Matt Wade five times in 68 balls across ODIs and T20s (35 runs).
• Adam Zampa will be key in a slow pitch. He has dismissed Matt Wade twice in 30 balls in T20s (38 runs). The legspinner also has the wood over Aaron Finch: 48 balls, 53 runs, four dismissals.

San Franciso Unicorns:

• Shadab Khan is in excellent touch. He has belted 98 runs in two matches at an strike rate of 184.90. He has been expensive with the ball (econ. 10.60) but he should be a factor on a slowing surface.
• Corey Anderson wound back the clock in the first match (91*). He also has a wicket to his name.
• Finn Allen has a strike rate of 253.33 this season, but has faced just 15 balls. If he gets through the powerplay, watch out.
• Can Marcus Stoinis overcome the slow surface? The all-rounder has hit just 21 runs at a strike rate of 77.77 so far.
• Expect Liam Plunkett to play a key role bowling into the pitch. This can bring wickets square of the wicket into play. The seamer is SFU’s top wicket-taker so far with four.

Other Stats and Facts

• Jason Roy when batting first in T20s this year: 333 runs, avg. 25.6, SR 122.4. When batting second, he averages 30.7 with a strike rate of 156.3.
• Aaron Finch vs Sunil Narine in T20s: 19 balls, 35 runs, no dismissal.
• Ali Khan is LAKR’s leading wicket-taker this season (4).
• Andre Russell has dismissed Marcus Stoinis three times in 22 balls in T20s (15 runs).

Grand Prairie Stadium Texas Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting first are reigning supreme. They have won seven of the eight matches so far. The average first innings score in the last five games is 158.6.

Another hot and clear evening is forecast with temperatures touching 40 degrees.

LAKR vs SFU Dream11 Prediction Today Match 18 July 2023

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

LAKR vs SFU Match Prediction – Who will win?

The team batting first is likely to win. But, San Francisco start as favourites.