England vs Sri Lanka Prediction: England badly needs some positive results to have a hope of defending their crown

England and Sri Lanka are going head to head in the 25th game of the ICC World Cup 2023 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India on 26th October. England badly needs some positive results to have a hope of defending their crown. Who will win this game?

The defending champions, who were considered strong contenders for the title, have performed well below expectations. They have faced defeats in 3 out of the 4 matches they've played, including a surprising loss to the lower-ranked Afghanistan, and currently find themselves in the lower half of the standings.

With only 5 matches left, England must secure some victories to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the next stage.

England's renowned batting lineup and their much-discussed 'Bazball' strategy have been a major disappointment in this tournament. Joe Root has been the most successful batsman, scoring two half-centuries in four innings, and he is also the leading run-scorer. Dawid Malan's century against Bangladesh was instrumental in England's only win.

However, key players such as Johnny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, and Liam Livingstone have all struggled to find form. England has suffered another blow with the absence of their leading bowler in this tournament, Reece Topley, who is sidelined due to a fractured finger.

This places additional pressure on the already struggling pace trio of Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, and Mark Wood. Adil Rashid has shown flashes of brilliance with the ball and will play a crucial role in the upcoming match.

Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (C, WK), Harry Brook, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood

Sri Lanka, like England, approach the match with an identical record, recently securing a victory against the Netherlands. Both teams find themselves in the lower half of the points table, dealing with similar fates. However, Sri Lanka face additional challenges due to several injuries, and there are concerns about Matheesha Pathirana's availability for the rest of the tournament.

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C, WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

The toss hasn't exhibited a significant influence on the match results at this venue, with teams batting first and teams batting second each securing 12 wins on this ground. Nevertheless, in the last four matches, three victories have been achieved by teams setting a target.

As a result, we anticipate that the toss-winning captain will probably choose to bat first.The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is a haven for batsmen, with an average score of 302 in the last five ODIs. The pitch is exceptionally level and firm, providing a substantial bounce. Additionally, there is anticipated grass cover on the surface, which will cause the ball to skid and aid the faster bowlers. Nevertheless, there won't be much assistance for the spinners.

The weather is predicted to remain clear, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.Both teams have faced difficulties in this series and are eager to clinch a victory. This sets the stage for a tight and thrilling cricket match. While England possesses a slightly better batting lineup, they must also focus on improving their bowling.

Consider placing your bet on England for the win.