Netherlands v Sri Lanka World Cup Tips: Back Dutch delight and player bets up to 8/1

• Netherlands underrated

• Lucknow pitch may be tricky

• Asalanka underrated

Netherlands v Sri Lanka
Saturday 21 October, 06:00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Netherlands v Sri Lanka World Cup team news

Netherlands are buzzing after a superb - and comfortable - success over South Africa. Logan van Beek's return to the side gave them an extra wicket-taking threat while Scott Edwards found runs with the bat. Roelof van der Merwe provided the energy and belief.

Probable XI: O'Dowd, Singh, Ackermann, de Leede, Nidamanuru, Engelbrecht, Edwards, van der Merwe, van Meekeren, van Beek, Dutt

Sri Lanka were in command against Australia when batting first but fell away badly. Now Sri Lanka desperately need a win to get on the points board. They will look to their one, true point of difference, Maheesh Theekshana, whose brand of spin could be crucial.

Probable XI: Nissanka, Perera, Mendis, Asalanka, Samarawickarama, Dhananjaya, Wellalage, Karunaratrne, Theekshana, Lahiru, Madushanka

Netherlands v Sri Lanka World Cup pitch report

There is something in the Lucknow surface for bowlers. Australia hit back well against Sri Lanka, taking wickets in clusters suggesting it could be two paced. The Aussies themselves had a wobble.

Anything around 260 could well be difficult to chase and, given Sri Lanka's awful bowling, the Dutch will reckon they're in the game.

Netherlands v Sri Lanka World Cup match odds

Netherlands are 4.707/2 with Sri Lanka 1.261/4. Beating Test-playing nations back-to-back is a huge ask for the Dutch, who could be emotionally drained, but the gulf in odds is too great.

Netherlands are gutsy with the bat and have excellent plans in the field. The same cannot be said about Sri Lanka.

At the least the Dutch can trade as favourites in this game. Whether they hold on may be down to Sri Lanka's stomach for a scrap.

Netherlands v Sri Lanka World Cup player bets

Sybrand Engelbrecht looked well-organised against South Africa and 12/113.00 for him to be top Netherlands bat looks generous.

For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka has been boosted to 10/34.33. The win-rate value is Charith Asalanka at 8/19.00. He returns at 14.3% and Sportsbook's quote is 11% implied probability.

Theekshana is 10/34.33 for top bowler for Sri Lanka and 12/113.00 for man of the match. Theekshana has taken seven wickets in his last two matches against the Dutch.