England v Sri Lanka World Cup Tips: Back both to score 300 at 5/2 in crucial clash

• Sri Lanka value batting first

• Loser faces elimination

• Both teams to score 300

England v Sri Lanka
Wednesday 25 October, 09:30
TV: Live on Sky Sports

England v Sri Lanka World Cup team news

Who knows how England will shuffle their pack. They have issues all over the shop. Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali back in with Mark Wood and Harry Brook dispensed with? Brydon Carse looks likely to come straight in for Reece Topley, their best bowler, who has been ruled out of the tournament.

Possible XI: Bairstow, Malan, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Moeen, Livingstone, Willey, Rashid, Carse, Atkinson

Sri Lanka have added Angelo Mathews to their squad as a replacement for the injured Matheesha Pathirana. They are in dire need of knowhow and gumption and they will hope the veteran provides that. He could replace Charith Asalanka in the middle order.

Possible XI: Nissanka, Perera, Mendis, Samarawickarama, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Hemantha, Karurunaratrne, Theekshana, Rajitha, Madushanka

England v Sri Lanka World Cup pitch report

The Bangalore surfaced lived up to its reputation when Australia and Pakistan both breached 300. Australia's 369 was probably underwhelming given they looked set for 400-plus.

Sri Lanka runs could be as cheap as 290 on the par line against an England attack which has struggled. England runs may be set at 320.

These two have the worst economies in the tournament at the moment and on a reliably flat wicket the runs markets are sensible calls. Both teams to score 300 will be popular at a boosted 5/23.50. Both teams for 325 is 6/17.00.

England v Sri Lanka World Cup match odds

England are as short as 1.341/3 which is a stone-cold killer of a price. Sri Lanka are 3.9029/10. The bettuing strategy for match odds is informed by the pitch and the bowling units again.

If Sri Lanka bat first they are capable of putting England under pressure and could well make this a choice affair by the break. Remember that England's win percentage in the last two years batting second is threatening to dip below 30%.

A trade then from 3.9029/10 to even money, putting an extra 50% on the original stake on the lay button, will be profits both sides.

Both teams are desperate for the win. The loser will almost certainly have their hopes of a semi-final berth ended.

England v Sri Lanka World Cup player bets

Jos Buttler is the sole wrong price for top England bat at 11/26.50 but it has to be said we have lost confidence in him as the pressure appears to be taking a toll.

There are no ricks on top Sri Lankan bat. Dhananjaya de Silva has appeal at 15/28.50 but its only one win in his last 31.

With the ball, Adil Rashid and Kasun Rajitha have excellent return rates for odds of 3/14.00 and 7/24.50 respectively.

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