Auckland Aces vs Wellington Firebirds Predictions & Tips - Finn Allen to set Eden Park alight

The Wellington Firebirds have been superb this season with seven wins from their nine matches. They should have too much quality for the Aces while top run scorer, Finn Allen is tipped in the run scoring markets.

The Auckland Aces lead 16-12 in their 28 matches against the Wellington Firebirds. In December 2020, the Firebirds beat the Aces by four wickets after chasing 176 runs at the Basin Reserve.

The Auckland Aces are fifth on the Super Smash table heading into the final fixture of the regular season. They cannot move up or down, regardless of the result.

It has been a torrid season for the Aces with only two wins from their nine matches. In their last match the Auckland Aces beat the Otago Volts at the Eden Park Outer Oval. It was a match between the bottom two sides.

Batting first the Aces scored 183 runs with plenty of contributions by the batsmen. While there was no standout performer, six of the top seven batsmen scored 20+ runs.

New Zealand international, Kyle Jamieson then bowled magnificently, taking 3-18 as the Aces bowled the Volts out for a paltry 80 runs. That 103-run victory helped the Aces move above the Volts on net run rate.

The Auckland Aces have nothing to play for this season other than pride. That has been the case for the entire second half of the season and they have tended to perform better with the lack of expectation.

They are expected to be at full strength, and will hope Glenn Phillips and Martin Guptill can catch fire, something they have both failed to do this season.

The Wellington Firebirds have already confirmed their place in the Super Smash final. They have topped the table on 32 points with this final fixture to play.

The Central Stags batted first in the Firebirds last match and scored 164 runs at the Basin Reserve. In response the Firebirds with emphatic as Super Smash top run scorer, Finn Allen smashed 66 off 27 balls.

Devon Conway hit 69 off 50 balls as the openers put on a 107-run partnership. The Firebirds cruised home to win by eight wickets with close to four overs remaining.

The Firebirds won’t be looking to rest players given the final is still a week away. They will need to keep the momentum going and the in-form batsmen will want to have more time in the middle.