Northern Knights vs Leinster Lightning match prediction 17 May 2022

NK vs LL 5th Match Predictions & Betting Tips

In the fifth match of the Cricket Ireland Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cup 2022, inaugural IP50 champions Northern Knights will clash against 8-time champions Leinster Lightning. The match will kick start from 3:30 PM IST at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. Both the teams have played two matches so far in the 10th edition of the Cricket Ireland Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cup, winning and losing a match each.

The tournament will witness each team playing against each other twice. The team with maximum points will lift the trophy on July 4. As we get ready for the fifth match between Northern Knights and Leinster Lightning (NK vs LL), let us have a look at the top team and player bets on Pari Match for a lucrative return.

NK vs LL Team Bet:

Mentioned below is the top team bet from the NK vs LL head-to-head contest.

Leinster Lightning to win

Northern Knights and Leinster Lightning have four points each from two matches but Lightning are placed second in the 4-team points table on the basis of a superior run rate. Leinster Lightning batsmen have been on song since their first match against Munster Reds on May 10. They scored 304 runs for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs but lost by five wickets. In their second match, Leinster Lightning defeated North-West Warriors by seven wickets and 37 balls remaining.

On the other hand, Northern Knights were bundled out for 123 runs, but they got lucky as they won the match by 12 runs on the basis of D/L method. North-West Warriors were 61 for 5 when the match was disrupted by rain. In the next match, they posted 248 runs on the board before losing to Munster Reds by three wickets and 12 balls remaining. It's clear that they need some serious improvement in both the departments of the game. Moreover, the Knights have lost five times against Lightning in their last five head-to-head encounters. Overall, NK have won only one out of their last five games. LL have won three of their last five matches. Lightning batsmen Harry Tector (168 runs in two matches) and Andy Balbirnie (76 runs in two matches) are expected to shine once again. James McCollum is the highest run-scorer for Knights with 66 in two matches. Defending champions Leinster Lightning are the clear favourites to win the match. If you feel the same, scoot over to Pari Match and place your bet on LL whenever the odds are made available on the website.

NK vs LL Player Bet:

Harry Tector and Paul Stirling are my top two player betting tips for the NK vs LL 5th match. Have a look at it for reaping the best returns.

Harry Tector to score impeccably

Odds are in the favour of Leinster Lightning middle-order Harry Tector. The Ireland star scored 76 unbeaten runs against Warriors and went a step further to slam 92 against Reds. He has entered the tournament on the back of some good vein of form during Ireland's ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A matches in Al Amerat. Harry Tector scored 50, 35 and 24* in his last three outings there. The 22-year-old featured in three ODIs against West Indies at the start of the year, scoring 53, 54* and 52. The Dublin-born who averaged over 41 from his 20 ODIs for Ireland is looking all set to score handsomely. It wouldn't be a surprise if Harry Tector brings up his 2nd List A hundred in the match against the Northern Knights. Keep an eye out for Harry Tector on Pari Match from the NK vs LL head-to-head contest.

Paul Stirling to score over 32.5 runs

There is no hiding that the white-ball formats suit the playing style of Paul Stirling whose batting prowess is famous across the continents. The Ireland international was recently seen playing in the 2021-22 Pakistan Super League before featuring for his country in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier A in February in Al Amerat. The 31-year-old opener had accumulated 147 runs at a handy average of 29.40 in the 2021 season for the Knights. Overall, Stirling has played 228 List A matches, scoring 7953 runs at an average of 37.33. He has 20 hundreds (12 in ODIs) and 36 fifties to his name. With an experience so rich and a talent so rare, a batsman like Paul Stirling is always dangerous for the opposition. Stirling started off his Cricket Ireland Inter-Provincial Limited Over Cup 2022 season with a fluent 43-ball 35 against Munster Reds. Unfortunately, he managed only 11 runs in his second outing, and now he must be raring to come out all guns blazing against Knights and prove his metal again in front of the world. Our affiliate partner Pari Match should offer the best of odds from the NWW vs NK head-to-head encounter.

My Picks:

Leinster Lightning to win - @ 1.64 (Pari Match)

Harry Tector to score impeccably

Paul Stirling to score over 32.5 runs - @ 1.87 (Pari Match)