Oval Invincibles vs Birmingham Phoenix predictions: Phoenix can rise to the occasion![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Moeen Ali will be looking to lead Birmingham Phoenix to another win over Oval Invincibles](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/22072024/101bd9a5-72d1-4ae2-a2f5-5f03cb385968.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
- Birmingham Phoenix have won all three meetings between these two teams
- Key players Spencer Johnson and Gus Atkinson are missing for the hosts
- Recommended bet: Birmingham Phoenix to win
Oval Invincibles lifted the Men's Hundred title last season and will be aiming to repeat that success in 2024.
On Tuesday, they host Birmingham Phoenix in the opening game of this year's competition, which will take centre stage in domestic cricket over the next month.
The visitors will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign last term, but they do have an excellent record against these opponents, winning all three previous meetings.
Team news
Oval Invincibles will be without Spencer Johnson, who is playing Major League Cricket in the USA, and Gus Atkinson, who is on England Test duty, for Tuesday's curtain-raiser.
Harrison Ward and Mohammad Amir have been added to the squad as a contingency, while Jordan Cox will be assessed following appendix surgery and former England batsman Dawid Malan is in line to make his debut for the franchise.
Birmingham Phoenix will be without Test trio Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes but will be able to call upon white-ball specialists Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone.
Louis Kimber and New Zealand bowler Tim Southee should also feature.
The stats
Ali has hit 10 sixes in three games against the Oval Invincibles, recording knocks of 49, 42 and 33.
Birmingham Phoenix's Sean Abbott spent the start of the summer at The Oval playing for Surrey, 15 wickets in eight matches in the T20 Blast.
The Phoenix have won all six games they have played against London-based teams.
Prediction
![Liam Livingstone's partnership with Moeen Ali is huge for Birmingham Phoenix](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/22072024/d7263d5a-a249-4fb8-b4e8-8aa6a53b3030.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Birmingham Phoenix have long been a thorn in the side of the Oval Invincibles and that could continue here with the visitors fancied to get the better of this game.
Birmingham have won all six games they have played against London-based teams and may be able to get after a bowling lineup missing Johnson and Atkinson.
Having New Zealand pace bowler Adam Milne at their disposal, along with Sean Abbott, who starred for Surrey in the T20 Blast earlier this year, is a major boost.
Ali and Livingstone look likely to provide the fireworks for the away team and they are fancied to put a disappointing campaign last time around behind them with an impressive opening win over the reigning champions.
Side with the Birmingham Phoenix to get the new Hundred campaign off to the perfect start with a win.