Welsh Fire return to Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Wednesday with confidence restored after back-to-back wins in the Hundred.
The team that finished bottom of the pile last year already have as many points to their name as they achieved in 2025 and could go to the top with a handsome victory over Trent Rockets.
However, history is against them with the visitors from Trent Bridge having dominated this fixture in the past.
The Rockets have won four of the five previous meetings, including all three played in Wales, and arrive with momentum of their own.
Sam Billings' men secured their first win of 2026 when they beat London Spirit by four wickets on Sunday evening.
With the venue favouring teams who bat first and offering tricky second‑innings conditions, this Hundred clash feels perfectly set up for another tight Hundred contest, but one where the Rockets once again hold the edge.
Welsh Fire v Trent Rockets Tips Summary
Best Bet - Trent Rockets to win @ 8/11
Alternative Bet - Rachin Ravindra over 1.5 fours @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Ben Duckett 20+ runs, Lockie Ferguson 2+ wickets & Ben Duckett most fours for Trent Rockets @ 11/2
Welsh Fire v Trent Rockets Prediction
Best Bet: Trent Rockets to win @ 8/11
The Rockets' dominance in this fixture is impossible to ignore. They've won four of the last five against the Fire, including a composed chase last season where they hunted down 150 with three wickets in hand.
The Rockets also love playing at Sophia Gardens, winning on all three of their previous visits to the Cardiff venue.
There seems to be little wrong with their batting after topping 200 in an unsuccessful chase against Birmingham at Edgbaston and reaching their target with only six wickets down on Sunday.
Their bowlers went around the park a bit against the Phoenix, but they fared much better last time out and may have the right make-up to keep explosive openers Phil Salt and Matt Short quiet.
Experienced left-armer Mohammad Amir has the angle to tempt the right-handers into ill-judged drives, while the new ball offers swing and Matt Henry remains one of the most devastating seamers around in this format.
The pitch tends to be lively at the start, then slows dramatically, which ought to be ideal for the Rockets' varied attack.
The Fire's batting has been excellent, but both openers failed last time out and they would have lost if not for Rachin Ravindra's 98 off 44 balls last time out.
However, his modest overall record in T20 cricket suggests it may be a while before he can produce another knock like that.
Given the improving form of the visitors, the potential match-ups, and venue trends, the Rockets deserve to start as the favourites.
Alternative Bet: Rachin Ravindra over 1.5 fours @ 11/10
Ravindra struck seven fours and seven sixes in the Fire's win over MI London.
He has tended to deal in boundaries in this format and T20 cricket, hitting 21 fours and 10 sixes so far in just six appearances in The Hundred.
Rockets captain Billings will try to tie the Kiwi star down in the middle overs with his spinners, including Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner, but Ravindra has the class to pick off any bad balls.
He has scored two or more fours in both his innings for Welsh Fire this year and looks worth backing to do the same again.
Welsh Fire v Trent Rockets Bet Builder
Ben Duckett 20+ runs
Lockie Ferguson 2+ wickets
Ben Duckett most fours for Trent Rockets
Pays 11/2
Ben Duckett was outstanding, striking 75 off 47 balls in the Rockets' last outing. His ability to sweep and manipulate spin makes him ideal for Sophia Gardens' two‑paced surface.
Lockie Ferguson has been Fire's best bowler, taking four wickets at 15.25, and his pace through the middle overs is crucial on a pitch that grips later in the innings.
No player in the history of The Hundred has hit more fours than Duckett, who is a worthwhile addition to this Bet Builder to outperform his team-mates in that regard.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Trent Rockets have won four of five matches against Welsh Fire
The team batting first has won four of the last five games at Sophia Gardens
Rachin Ravindra scored 98 off 44 balls in his last match, hitting seven fours and seven sixes
Ben Duckett made 75 off 47 balls in his last innings
Rockets opener Duckett has hit 18 fours in two innings this year
Calvin Harrison has been the Rockets star with the ball, claiming four wickets in two games at 13.00
Tactics, Form & Team News
The Fire have started strongly, but their bowling remains a concern. Sam Cook and Chris Woakes have struggled for early breakthroughs, placing pressure on Ferguson and Marco Jansen to try and control the middle overs.
Expected Welsh Fire XI: Phil Salt (c & wk), Matthew Short, Joe Root, Rachin Ravindra, Jordan Cox, Marco Jansen, Asa Tribe, Ben Kellaway, Chris Woakes, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook.
The Rockets are likely to be unchanged from their home win over London Spirit with a strong batting line-up featuring Duckett, Finn Allen, Tom Banton and Tim David.
They will rely on the left-arm spin of Santner and leg-break bowling of Harrison to tie Ravindra down in the middle overs.
Expected Trent Rockets XI: Ben Duckett, Finn Allen, Tom Banton, Tim David, Sam Billings (c & wk), Mitchell Santner, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Calvin Harrison, Matt Henry, Mohammad Amir.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
