Discover a complete match preview of the San Francisco Unicorns vs. MI New York Eliminator in MLC 2025. Read predictions, fantasy picks, probable XIs, and pitch/weather reports.

San Francisco Unicorns vs. MI New York: MLC 2025 Eliminator Preview

While everybody is getting more excited about Major League Cricket 2025, preparations for San Francisco Unicorns for the equally momentous eliminator against MI New York at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium have been going on since July 10th, 2025, at 12:00 AM UTC. Both sides must improve if they want to escape elimination, as a playoff berth is on the line.

Match Snapshot:

• Match: SF Unicorns vs. MI New York (Eliminator)
• Date: July 10th, 2025
• Time: 12:00 AM UTC
• Venue: Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
• Win Probability: San Francisco Unicorns 56% | MI New York 44%

Team Form Guide

San Francisco Unicorns: Formidable & Focused

SFU has been the standout side this season, finishing third on the points table with 7 wins in 10 games. Matthew Short's team has appeared focused and well-balanced in every department, even with a slight setback in their last league game against the LA Knight Riders.

Key strengths include

• Explosive batting from Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Matthew Short

• All-round balance with Romario Shepherd and Hammad Azam

• Wicket-taking prowess from Xavier Bartlett, Brody Couch, and Haris Rauf

MI New York: Inconsistent But Dangerous

MI New York recently made the playoffs thanks to a higher net run rate than the Seattle Orcas. They had glimpses of brilliance but lacked consistency throughout the season, winning only three of ten games.

Despite recent losses, Nicholas Pooran's side cannot be underestimated, with star power in

• Quinton de Kock, Monank Patel, and Pooran anchoring the top order

• Match-winning all-rounders like Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, and George Linde

• World-class pace attack led by Trent Boult

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Meetings: 4

• SFU Wins: 4

• MI New York Wins: 0

The Unicorns have truly ruled this rivalry, having won both encounters against MI New York this season and keeping a flawless record in all their MLC meetings.

Pitch Report: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas

The surface at Grand Prairie Stadium is known for high-scoring matches with a flat deck and short boundaries. Early on, seamers may extract some movement, but batters tend to flourish once settled.

Venue Stats:

• Average First Innings Score: 170+

• Win % Batting First: 41%

• Win % Chasing: 59%

• Toss Prediction: Win Toss, Bowl First—Chasing teams have won 7 of the last 12 matches this season.

Weather Report: Clear & Dew-Laden Evening

• Current Condition: Clear skies

• Temperature: Between 26°C and 28°C

• Rain Chance: 0%

• Dew Factor: Expected during the second innings

Predicted Playing XIs

San Francisco Unicorns:

1. Matthew Short (c)

2. Finn Allen (wk)

3. Jake Fraser-McGurk

4. Sanjay Krishnamurthi

5. Hassan Khan

6. Romario Shepherd

7. Hammad Azam

8. Xavier Bartlett

9. Karima Gore

10. Brody Couch

11. Haris Rauf

MI New York:

1. Nicholas Pooran (c)

2. Quinton de Kock (wk)

3. Monank Patel

4. Tajinder Dhillon

5. Michael Bracewell

6. Kieron Pollard

7. George Linde

8. Nosthush Kenjige

9. Fabian Allen

10. Trent Boult

11. Ehsan Adil

Fantasy Cricket Picks

Top Batters:

• Matthew Short (SFU): 354 runs this season—reliable and aggressive.
• Monank Patel (MINY) is MI's leading run-scorer with 368 runs.
• Top bowlers: Haris Rauf (SFU) has 17 wickets and frequently delivers breakthroughs.
• Trent Boult (MINY) is MI's leading wicket-taker and excels in powerplay situations.

Fantasy Team Suggestion:

• WK: Finn Allen, Nicholas Pooran

• BAT: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Monank Patel

• AR: Kieron Pollard, Michael Bracewell, Romario Shepherd (VC)

• BOWL: Trent Boult, Xavier Bartlett (C), Nosthush Kenjige

Current Betting Odds from Stake.com

According to Stake.com, the best online sportsbook, the betting odds for the San Francisco Unicorns and MI New York are 1.90 and 2.00.

Match Analysis: Key Battles

Finn Allen vs. Trent Boult

• The Unicorns' innings may be determined by this matchup between an experienced swing bowler and an explosive opening batsman.

• Nicholas Pooran vs. Haris Rauf

• MI’s skipper must lead from the front but will face one of the most lethal pacers this season.

Matthew Short vs. Kenjige & Allen

• Short’s ability to counter spin in the middle overs could shape the game.

• Betting Tips & Predictions

• Toss Winner: MI New York

Match Winner Prediction: San Francisco Unicorns

• SFU's balanced squad and winning streak make them the favorites.

• MI New York's inconsistent performance and bad record against SFU raise concerns.

Score Prediction:

• If SFU Bats First: 182+

• If MI New York bats first: 139+

Why San Francisco Unicorns Are Favorites

• Superior Head-to-Head (4-0 record)

• Strong batting depth

• Versatile bowling unit

• Consistency throughout the group stages

The power hitters, experienced finishers, and the potential to take wickets at every point in the game suggest that SFU is primed for a big win and ready to move on to the MLC 2025 final.

Final Predictions

The San Francisco Unicorns have demonstrated consistency, firepower, and tactical sophistication throughout the competition. MI New York, while talented, has lacked direction and style. Unless Pooran and de Kock deliver batting masterclasses, the Unicorns should easily advance to the next level.

Prediction: San Francisco Unicorns to Win