Match 19
Major League Cricket (MLC 2026)
July 5, 2026, 3:00 am
WF Logo
WF
Odds » 1.9
VS.
SFU Logo
SFU
Odds » 1.95
Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona

WF vs SFU Today’s Match Prediction & Cricket Betting Tips: Major League Cricket (MLC 2026), Match 19, July 5

Published on: Jul 4, 2026 7:00 am IST | Updated on: Jul 3, 2026 11:50 am IST

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Washington Freedom, after securing a win over the LA Knight Riders in their previous game, are all set to collide with the table-toppers, San Francisco Unicorns, in Pomona. The reverse fixture between the two sides took place last week, with the Unicorns thrashing Freedom by 8 wickets. With vengeance on their minds, Freedom will look to get the better of the 2024 runners-up and take a step forward in the points table to grab the third spot. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), WF vs SFU, at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona.

Win Probability: WF vs SFU

The San Francisco Unicorns are enjoying their season, having won three of five games and lost two. They got the better of Washington Freedom in the reverse fixture and have all the talent in the world to do a double over them. Therefore, expect the win probability meter to lean in favor of the table toppers, who will consolidate their pole position after this win. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 19th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), WF vs SFU, at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona.

WF: 57% win chance
SFU: 43% win chance

  • Both teams have managed to win three of their last five games and lost two.
  • In the last five meetings between the two sides, Washington Freedom have had a slight upper hand, winning three games, whereas San Francisco Unicorns have won two.
  • This would be the first-ever game for the San Francisco Unicorns at this venue.

Cricket Betting Tips for WF vs SFU—19th Match, MLC 2026

Luhan-dre-Pretorius to score Over 24.5

Proteas' young left-hander has scored the most runs for San Francisco so far this season. He has scored 297 runs from 5 innings, striking at a brilliant rate of 182. He remains a top bet in this game.

Matthew Short to score Over 20.5

The San Francisco skipper has scored 133 runs from 5 innings so far at a strike-rate of 121.13. He remains a vital bet in the middle order.

Mitchell Owen to score Over 24.5

The Washington opener has scored 343 runs from 6 innings so far and leading the batting charts in this tournament. He has scored 2 fifties and a ton already and is striking at a berserk rate of 217.

Mark Chapman to score Over 18.5

The New Zealand left-hand batter has scored 140 runs so far in 6 innings, with his highest score being 57. He is one of those guys in this lineup who can bat according to the situation.

WF vs SFU Today’s Match Prediction

Check out our prediction for the WF vs SFU Major League Cricket 2026 match 19.

The Unicorns will eye a double over Freedom

The San Francisco Unicorns have been one of the more impressive sides in MLC 2026, winning three of their five matches so far and showcasing a balanced mix of power and consistency. Their campaign gained momentum with a convincing eight‑wicket victory over Washington Freedom in the reverse fixture, and they now have the chance to complete a double over their rivals.

The Unicorns’ batting strength lies in the explosive trio of Lhuan‑dre Pretorius, Matthew Short, and Finn Allen, all capable of dismantling attacks with their aggressive stroke play. Their ability to dominate the powerplay and maintain tempo through the middle overs has been a key factor in their success. On the bowling front, Xavier Bartlett has emerged as a reliable wicket‑taker, providing breakthroughs at crucial junctures and keeping opposition batters under pressure.

With momentum on their side and a well‑rounded squad, San Francisco will be eager to capitalize on their strengths once again. A win here would not only consolidate their position in the top half of the table but also underline their credentials as genuine title contenders in this season’s competition.

Washington Freedom will look to avenge their last loss to Unicorns

Washington Freedom enter their clash against the San Francisco Unicorns with vengeance on their minds. In the last five meetings between the two sides, Freedom have held a slight edge, winning three games compared to Unicorns’ two. However, their most recent encounter saw the Unicorns dominate with an eight‑wicket victory, leaving Freedom eager to set the record straight.

Currently placed fourth on the points table with three wins and three losses from six matches, Freedom know that a victory here could propel them into the top three and strengthen their playoff push. Their batting lineup has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key against a Unicorns side brimming with confidence. The bowlers, too, must rise to the occasion, applying pressure early and maintaining discipline throughout the innings.

Facing the 2024 runners‑up, Freedom will need a collective performance to overturn their last result. With the stakes high and the table tightly contested, this fixture offers them the perfect chance to reassert dominance and prove they remain one of the most competitive sides in Major League Cricket. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.

WF vs SFU Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 6
WF won:
3
SFU won: 3
No Result: 0
RECENT form SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS: L W L W W
RECENT form WASHINGTON FREEDOM: W L W L W

The Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns have collided 6 times in the past, including the 2024 finals. Both teams have managed to win 3 games each, making this head-to-head battle a fairly competitive one.

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 19th match of MLC 2026? Let’s take a look.

Washington Freedom (WF)

  • Washington Freedom opted for three changes in their last game against LA Knight Riders and got the desired result.
  • Jack Edwards, Ian Holland, and Ben Dwarshuis will keep their place after a win in the last game.
  • Mak Chapman will keep his place in the eleven, as NZ’s ODI series vs the West Indies will start from July 11, and he is yet to fly to the Caribbean.

Expected Starting 11

Steven Smith (C), Mitchell Owen, Andries Gous (WK), Mark Chapman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jack Edwards, Obus Pienaar, Lahiru Milantha, Ben Dwarshuis, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ian Holland

San Francisco Unicorns (SFU)

  • The Unicorns may not look to unsettle their winning combination from their last win over Washington.
  • A toss-up between Haris Rauf and Ravichandran Ashwin is up on the cards, particularly with the surface in Pomona expected to assist spinners.
  • Rauf and Ashwin won’t be playing together, as the latter has expressed that he doesn’t want to play with his Pakistan rival.

Expected Starting 11:

Lhuan-dre Pretorius (WK), Finn Allen, Matthew Short (C), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Aaron Hardie, Hammad Azam, Hassan Khan, Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, Haris Rauf/Ravichandran Ashwin, Ghulam Mudassar

Weather Conditions and Pitch Report

Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 19th match of the Major League Cricket 2026 between Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona.

Pitch ReportWeather Report
The Pomona surface offers true bounce and carry, allowing batters to play strokes with confidence once set.Clear skies with bright sunshine, ensuring uninterrupted play.
Pacers can extract movement early under lights, making the powerplay overs crucial.Temperature expected around 24–26°C, warm yet comfortable.
Spinners become effective in the middle overs as the pitch slows down.Moderate humidity may aid swing in the first innings.
Short boundaries on one side encourage aggressive batting, but disciplined bowling can restrict scoring.Gentle breeze forecast, unlikely to impact play significantly.
A first‑innings score of 165–175 is considered par, while 180+ could put real pressure on the chasing side.Rain chances are negligible; the match expected to go ahead without delays.
Balanced contest expected, with both batters and bowlers having opportunities to dominate.Overall conditions favor a full, exciting contest for players and fans alike.

Toss Prediction

On a fresh surface with no idea of how the wicket will play, the toss winner should opt for bowling first. Setting a target above 170 will be crucial, as batting eases later. Seamers hold sway initially, but settled batters can dominate, making first use of the pitch a decisive advantage.

Where To Watch Today’s Match

The online live streaming of the 19th MLC 2026 match between the Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns will take place live on the JioHotstar app. TV viewers can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network channels.

WF vs SFU: Today’s Match Predictions

The table-toppers, San Francisco Unicorns, have played some outstanding cricket. The 2024 runners-up are chasing glory, and the start they have had in this season is exemplary. Heading into match 19 of the competition, they will start as the favorites against the 2024 champions, whom they have already defeated in the reverse fixture this season. Therefore, per our prediction, San Francisco Unicorns are expected to win MLC 2026 Match 19: WF vs SFU.

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WF Logo
Odds » 1.9
VS.
SFU Logo
Odds » 1.95