SF vs WAS Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, Match 1, June 13
Published on: Jun 12, 2025 6:30 am IST | Updated on: Jun 12, 2025 10:54 am IST
The third season of Major League Cricket is here. The most popular T20 franchise cricket league of the United States of America is back with its third season. The first match of MLC 2025 is set to be a rerun of last season’s finals. Reigning champions Washington Freedom will kick off their title defense against last season’s finalists, San Francisco Unicorns, at the Oakland Coliseum in California. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st match of MLC 2025, SF vs WAS in California.
Win Probability: SF vs WAS
Reigning champions Washington Freedom had a brilliant run last season. They finished as the table toppers in the league stage and ended up claiming the coveted trophy for the first time. On the other hand, San Francisco Unicorn finished second on the points table in the league stage with a similar number of wins and losses. However, they were brutally assaulted in the finals by the eventual champions, and once again, Freedom will start as the favorites in this game. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st match of MLC 2025, SF vs WAS.
SF: 44% win chance
WAS: 56% win chance
- Washington Freedom, the reigning champions, ended the league stage with 6 wins and a loss from 7 matches.
- Freedom topped the table in the league stage and eventually won the title.
- San Francisco Unicorns also finished the league stage with 6 wins and a loss from 7 matches.
- Unicorns finished second in the league table and ended up playing the finals.
Cricket Betting Tips for SF vs WAS- 1st Match MLC 2025
Finn Allen to score Over 20.5
San Francisco Unicorns' New Zealand opener was brilliant last season as he finished with 306 runs from 9 innings last season. He will be a key player at the top.
Matt Short to score Over 24.5
The Aussie right-hander will be the accumulator in the middle for the Unicorns. His hard-hitting ability will be prudent in this game.
Andries Gous to score Over 17.5
USA wicket-keeper batter is expected to open the innings this season. He is a prolific batter up the order and will be a key figure.
Rachin Ravindra to score Over 19.5
The New Zealand left-hand batter will don a new role as an opener this season. He batted in the middle last season but will be the new opener till the time Steve Smith doesn't return.
SF vs WAS Today’s Match Prediction
Check out our prediction for the SF vs WAS Major League Cricket 2025, Match 1.
Washington Freedom will be keen on starting their title defense with a win
Washington Freedom will be eager to kick off their MLC 2025 campaign with a strong performance as they defend their title. After a dominant run in MLC 2024, where they clinched their maiden championship by defeating San Francisco Unicorns, the team is determined to maintain its winning momentum. Led by Steve Smith and coached by Ricky Ponting, Freedom boasts a formidable lineup featuring Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, and Lockie Ferguson.
Their opening match against San Francisco Unicorns on June 12 will be crucial in setting the tone for the season. With a balanced squad and a winning mentality, Washington Freedom aims to become the first team to secure back-to-back MLC titles. Their ability to handle pressure and execute game plans efficiently will be key to their success. A victory in the opener would reaffirm their championship credentials and send a strong message to their rivals.
San Francisco Unicorns will be looking to get the better of their nemesis from last season
The San Francisco Unicorns are determined to turn the tables on their biggest rivals, Washington Freedom, as they embark on their MLC 2025 campaign. After a heartbreaking loss in the 2024 final, where Freedom outclassed them to lift the trophy, the Unicorns have regrouped with renewed focus and a strengthened squad.
Led by Corey Anderson and coached by Shane Watson, the Unicorns boast a dynamic lineup featuring Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Romario Shepherd, and Liam Plunkett. Their opening match on June 12 at the Oakland Coliseum is more than just a season starter—it’s a chance to avenge last year’s defeat and set the tone for a championship-winning run.
With a mix of international stars and local talent, the Unicorns are poised to challenge Freedom’s dominance. A victory in the opener would not only boost their confidence but also send a strong message to the rest of the league. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
SF vs WAS Head-to-Head
Matches Played: 3
SF won: 0
WAS won: 3
No Result: 0
San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom have squared off only thrice in the history of Major League Cricket. Washington has totally outclassed San Francisco by winning all three games in the head-to-head contests. Their last meeting took place in the final of the 2024 edition, where Freedom won by a gigantic margin of 96 runs.
Team Analysis: San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom
How will the two teams, i.e., the San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom, fare in the 1st match of MLC 2025? Let’s take a look.
San Francisco Unicorns (SF)
- San Francisco Unicorns have formed a 14-man squad for the 2025 season of Major League Cricket.
- Finn Allen, Matt Short, Haris Rauf, and Jake Fraser-McGurk are the four overseas signings for Unicorns this season.
- All-rounder Corey Anderson will be leading the side yet again.
- Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk will open the innings.
- Hammad Azam, Matt Short, Juanoy Drysdale, and skipper Corey Anderson will be forming the rest of the batting order.
- In the bowling department, the onus would be on the likes of Liam Plunkett, Haris Rauf, and Carmi Le Roux.
Expected Starting 11
Finn Allen (WK), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Hammad Azam, Matt Short, Juanoy Drysdale, Corey Anderson (C), Hassan Khan, Achilles Browne, Liam Plunkett, Haris Rauf, Carmi Le Roux
Washington Freedom (WAS)
- Washington Freedom will be playing this season of Major League Cricket with a 16-man squad.
- Steve Smith and Marco Jansen won’t be available for this game, as both these players are involved in the World Test Championship 2025 final.
- In the absence of regular skipper Steve Smith, his countryman Glenn Maxwell is expected to lead the side.
- Both Glenn Maxwell and Lockie Ferguson missed the second half of the IPL season due to injuries, but the duo is available for this game.
- International star Rachin Ravindra is expected to open the innings alongside Andries Gous.
- The middle order will comprise the likes of Mark Chapman, Mukhtar Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, Glenn Phillips, and Obus Piennar.
- Lockie Ferguson will be leading the bowling unit, with Saurabh Netravalkar, Jason Behrendorff, and Ben Sears likely to be the other bowlers to start along with the New Zealand star.
Expected Starting 11:
Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (WK), Mark Chapman, Jack Edwards, Glenn Maxwell (C), Glenn Phillips, Obus Piennar, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears, Jason Behrendorff
Weather Conditions and Pitch Report
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st match of Major League Cricket 2025 between San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom at Oakland Coliseum in California:
| Pitch Report | Weather Report |
|---|---|
| The Oakland Coliseum pitch is expected to be batting-friendly, with a hard surface that allows stroke play. | The weather on June 12 is forecasted to be warm and clear, with a high of 27°C and minimal cloud cover. |
| Pacers may get some early movement, but as the match progresses, the pitch should favor batters. | Humidity will be around 50%, ensuring dry conditions that won’t affect the ball much. |
| Spinners could come into play in the second innings, especially if the surface starts to wear down. | Winds at 12 km/h may assist swing bowlers slightly, but overall conditions will be stable. |
| A high-scoring contest is likely, given the pitch’s history of favoring aggressive batting. | No rain is expected, ensuring an uninterrupted match under ideal playing conditions. |
Toss Prediction
This is going to be the first game at this venue in MLC 2025. The surface will be unknown for both skippers. Therefore, they would be opting to bowl first and understand how the wicket behaves for the rest of the match. “Win the toss and bowl” should be the mantra.
Where to Watch Today’s Match
The online live streaming of the 1st MLC 2025 Match between the San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom will take place live on the JioHotstar App. TV viewers can watch the match live on the Sony Sports Network channels.
SF vs WAS: Today’s Match Predictions
The Washington Freedom will start as the firm favorites in the first match of MLC 2025. They have a 3-0 head-to-head record against San Francisco Unicorns and will be looking to make it 4-0 after the end of this encounter. Right now, as per our prediction, the reigning champions, Washington Freedom, are expected to win the MLC 2025 Match 1 SF vs WAS Dream11 Prediction contest and kick off their title defense with a bang.