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SFU vs WF Fantasy Team Prediction is one of the biggest talking points as San Francisco Unicorns and Washington Freedom prepare to face each other in the 19th match of MLC 2026. The match will be played at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona on Saturday, July 4, with play starting at 9:30 PM local time (10:00 AM IST on Sunday, July 5).
Both teams sit level on 6 points, and both come into this off wildly different recent form despite the shared points tally. SFU chased down WF’s total with ease in their last head to head meeting. WF have won and lost in equal measure since, a genuinely streaky season for both sides so far.
SFU vs WF Match Details
Match: San Francisco Unicorns vs Washington Freedom, 19th T20, MLC 2026
Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
Time: 9:30 PM local (Pomona), 10:00 AM IST on Sunday July 5
Venue: Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona
WF Captain: Steve Smith
SFU Captain: Matthew Short
Watch live in India: Star Sports 2, JioHotstar
Team Form Last 5
WF: W L W L W
Washington Freedom’s most recent match was actually a win, chasing down 108 against Los Angeles Knight Riders with room to spare. Before that they lost to this very same SFU side, chasing 190 with total ease. Go back further and there’s a genuine thriller in there too, a 1 wicket win over Texas Super Kings after being set 185.
SFU: W W L W L
San Francisco Unicorns’ last outing was that comfortable win over WF, driven by a big partnership between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Finn Allen that turned the chase into a formality. Before that they edged Seattle Orcas by 2 wickets in a proper nail biter, finishing with just 1 wicket in hand.
Head to Head SFU vs WF
Washington Freedom lead the recent head to head 4 wins to 3, though SFU have the most recent result in their favour.
- 15th T20, MLC 2026: WF made 190/4, SFU chased it down for 193/2 in 15.1 overs. SFU won.
- 19th T20, MLC 2025: SFU were held to 157/9, WF got there with 169/6. WF won.
- 1st T20, MLC 2025: SFU posted a huge 269/5, WF managed only 146 in 13.1 overs. SFU won by a landslide.
- Final, MLC 2024: SFU were bowled out for 111, WF chased it down comfortably for 207/5. WF won.
- Qualifier 1, MLC 2024: SFU made 145 in 19 overs, WF chased it down for 149/3 in 15.3 overs. WF won.
Both sides have blown the other out of the water at least once in this rivalry, so a close, tense finish isn’t guaranteed here even with the head to head fairly even overall.
Points Table Right Now
| Team | P | W | L | NRR | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Freedom | 6 | 3 | 3 | -1.422 | 6 |
| San Francisco Unicorns | 5 | 3 | 2 | +0.489 | 6 |
Both teams are level on points, but the net run rate gap is significant. SFU’s positive NRR points to generally more comfortable wins and tighter losses, while WF’s heavily negative number suggests at least one genuinely lopsided defeat dragging their overall numbers down.
Team Comparison Overall
Washington Freedom: Win rate of 50 percent, averaging 150 runs per innings, with a best of 245 and a worst of just 44.
San Francisco Unicorns: Win rate of 40 percent, averaging a higher 166 runs per innings, with a best of 233 and a worst of 131.
That WF low of 44 stands out immediately, a genuine collapse at some point this season, and it lines up with the heavily negative net run rate in the points table. SFU haven’t hit those same depths, their worst outing still clearing 130, which suggests a side with a slightly higher floor even if their ceiling hasn’t quite matched WF’s best performances.
Pitch Report: Knight Riders Cricket Field, Pomona
Two matches have been played at this ground so far, one won by the team batting first, one won by the team chasing, an even split rather than a clear pattern either way. Average first innings total sits at 120, second innings at 118, both well below what most other MLC venues have produced this season.
Pace bowling has dominated here, taking 86 percent of all wickets across matches played at this venue, with spin managing just 14 percent. Whichever side wins the toss tonight, the new ball is likely to matter more than the toss decision itself.
Toss verdict: No strong lean either way based on the results so far. Winning the powerplay with disciplined pace bowling has mattered more than the toss result itself at this ground.
Par score: Based on the two completed matches here, anything in the 120 to 135 range should be treated as a solid total, notably lower than the 175 plus figure that would apply at most other MLC venues.
Weather Report For July 4 In Pomona
- Temperature: Around 29.5 degrees Celsius
- Conditions: Cloudy
- Humidity: 71 percent
- Rain chance: 55 percent
A genuine rain risk again at this ground, continuing a pattern that’s affected multiple matches here already this season. A delay or reduced overs contest is a real possibility.
Washington Freedom Playing XI
Based on their most recent match against LAKR, expect Steve Smith (captain), Lahiru Milantha, Mark Chapman, Andries Gous (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Owen, Obus Pienaar, Ian Holland, Marco Jansen, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson, Amila Aponso.
San Francisco Unicorns Playing XI
Based on their most recent win over WF, expect Finn Allen, Matthew Short (captain), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Hammad Azam, Brody Couch, R Ashwin, Connor Esterhuizen, Aaron Hardie, Peter Siddle, filled out by the remaining squad depth.
R Ashwin is part of this SFU squad but has had a genuinely difficult start to his MLC campaign, going wicketless while conceding 24 runs in his 2 overs in his debut appearance. Worth watching whether he features tonight and how the team manages his overs if he does.
Players To Watch
Steve Smith, Washington Freedom
Smith has quietly anchored several of WF’s chases this season and captains the side with real composure. On a pitch that’s shown it can turn tricky quickly, his experience at the crease matters more than most.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, San Francisco Unicorns
Fresh off a match winning innings against this very same opponent, smashing 66 in a chase that turned into a rout. He’s arguably the form batter on either side coming into tonight.
Finn Allen, San Francisco Unicorns
A genuine powerplay destroyer who combined with Pretorius to blow WF’s total away last time these two teams met. If he gets going early, SFU’s chase or defence gets significantly easier.
Marco Jansen, Washington Freedom
A genuine strike weapon with the new ball, and on a ground where pace bowling has taken the overwhelming majority of wickets so far this season, his early spell could shape the entire match.
Andries Gous, Washington Freedom
Gous has been in fine form behind the stumps and with the bat this season, including an unbeaten 83 in one of WF’s recent matches. He’s a genuine middle order threat if WF need someone to rebuild or accelerate.
Match Prediction
SFU carry the momentum from the most recent head to head meeting, where they chased down WF’s total with plenty to spare, and their batting looks slightly deeper on current form. WF, though, have shown they can win just as comfortably when their bowlers fire, and a ground that’s rewarded pace bowling all season plays to their strengths with Jansen and Netravalkar in the attack.
Our prediction is a close one to call, but SFU get the slight edge on the back of their last meeting and a batting lineup that’s found its rhythm at the top of the order. Keep an eye on the toss and the weather, though, since a 55 percent rain chance means conditions could end up deciding this one as much as either team’s form.
Also Read: LAKR vs TSK Fantasy Team Prediction, Pitch Report, Weather and Playing XI — MLC 2026
Best Fantasy XI For SFU vs WF Tonight
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Andries Gous | WF | Wicketkeeper |
| Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Captain) | SFU | Batter |
| Steve Smith (Vice Captain) | WF | Batter |
| Finn Allen | SFU | Batter |
| Mark Chapman | WF | Batter |
| Hammad Azam | SFU | All Rounder |
| Marco Jansen | WF | All Rounder |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | WF | Bowler |
| Lockie Ferguson | WF | Bowler |
| Brody Couch | SFU | Bowler |
| R Ashwin | SFU | Bowler |
Captain: Lhuan-dre Pretorius. He just smashed 66 in a chase against this exact opponent and is clearly the form batter heading into tonight. A repeat performance would make him the single biggest points scorer on the field.
Vice Captain: Steve Smith. WF’s captain has been a calm, reliable presence at the crease all season, and his composure against a strong SFU bowling attack could make the difference in a tight contest.
Differential Pick: Marco Jansen. With most fantasy teams likely to focus on SFU’s in form batting, Jansen offers a lower ownership route into WF’s bowling attack, and on a pace friendly pitch, his new ball spell could be worth more than the ownership numbers suggest.
FANTASY
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Q: What time does SFU vs WF start in India?
A: 10:00 AM IST on Sunday, July 5. Local start time in Pomona is 9:30 PM on Saturday, July 4.
Q: What is the head to head record between SFU and WF?
A: Washington Freedom lead 4 wins to 3 across the last 5 meetings, though SFU won the most recent match comfortably.
Q: Should the toss winner bat or bowl first at this ground?
A: There’s no strong advantage either way based on the two matches played here so far. New ball bowling discipline has mattered more than the toss itself.
Q: Is R Ashwin playing for San Francisco Unicorns tonight?
A: He’s part of the squad but had a difficult MLC debut, going wicketless and conceding 24 runs in his 2 overs. Check the official toss lineup before picking him in fantasy.
Q: Will rain affect tonight’s match?
A: There is a 55 percent chance of rain in Pomona, so a delay or reduced overs match is a real possibility.
Q: Who is the best captain pick for SFU vs WF fantasy tonight?
A: Lhuan-dre Pretorius. He just scored 66 in a match winning chase against this exact opponent and is the form batter on either side right now.
Q: Where can I watch SFU vs WF live in India?
A: Star Sports 2 on TV and JioHotstar for streaming.