England v South Africa predictions & player tips, ICC World Cup 2019

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MATCH INFO
England v South Africa preview
Venue: The Oval
Odds: England (4/9); South Africa (19/10)

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WE are predicting World Cup host and tournament favourite England will open its account on Thursday with a win against South Africa at The Oval in London.

Despite English fans worrying that injury problems to skipper Eoin Morgan and paceman Mark Wood are the beginning of another 50-over World Cup horror show, bookmakers and the WGL cricket tips expert have shown faith in this top-notch ODI outfit.

England is paying 4/9 ($1.44) to win the clash against the Proteas (19/10 or $2.90 with William Hill) and get their World Cup off to the perfect start.

Many of the players tipped to feature heavily in the individual tournament-long player markets also kick off their campaign in this match, which will be played in front of a full house at the picturesque London ground.

This England-South Africa betting preview will run you through everything you need to know ahead of match 1 of 48 of the ICC World Cup 2019.

England v South Africa odds:

Head to head betting:
England: 4/9
South Africa: 19/10
Prediction: England to win, paying 4/9 with William Hill.

Top run scorer betting:
England: Joe Root 11/4, Jonny Bairstow 3/1, Jason Roy 10/3, James Vince 4/1, Eoin Morgan 9/2

South Africa: Quinton de Kock 3/1, Hashim Amla 10/3, Faf du Plessis 7/2, Aiden Markram 7/2, Rassie van der Dussen 9/2

Top batter prediction: Back Jason Roy, paying 10/3 with William Hill.

Top wicket taker betting:
England: Adil Rashid 3/1, Jofra Archer 10/3, Chris Woakes 7/2, Tom Curran 7/2, Mark Wood 4/1
South Africa: Kagiso Rabada 11/4, Imran Tahir 3/1, Lundi Ngidi 7/2, Chris Morris 7/2, Dale Steyn 7/2

Top bowler tips: We like Jofra Archer, paying 10/3 for most wickets with William Hill.

WGL best bets: England v South Africa

Each of our ICC World Cup betting previews will highlight some potential wins for punters, or where our cricket tipsters think there is some value to be found. Our best bets for England vs South Africa are:

Top South African batsman:

Last 5 ODI South African Top Scorers: Du Plessis 88 (69), Aiden Markram 67 (75), de Kock 51 (57), de Kock 121 (108), de Kock 94 (70)

It’s really hard to overlook superstar Quinton de Kock in this market even though he is favourite to top the South African run count against England. South Africa has a much shallower batting line-up than in previous World Cups, courtesy of form and retirements, and de Kock stands out like a sore thumb. He is paying 3/1 with WilliamHill.com. If de Kock’s odds come in any further for this market strongly consider Markram, who is likely to bat at five or six and be given plenty of opportunities to bat for a lengthy period.

Top England bowler:

Last 5 ODI England top wicket-takers: James Plunkett 4/69, Chris Woakes 5/54, Tom Curran 4/75, Chris Woakes 4/67, David Willey 2/57

We are going for a smoky to top England’s bowling in match 1, and there is a bit of value in it. Pace bowler Jofra Archer lit up the Big Bash League recently and has shown nothing to suggest he won’t be a force at the ICC World Cup in his first few ODIs for England. Being reasonably unsighted at International level could help him slip a few past the Proteas’ top order. Archer is paying 11/3 with WilliamHill.com.

England vs South Africa prediction

While South Africa has been a force in one-day cricket and at World Cups in the past, England looks to have too much firepower in this one. Our England-South Africa prediction is based on the home team having a deeper batting line-up and injury and form concerns surrounding key members of the South African bowling line-up, including to no.1 paceman Rabada.

England-South Africa match prediction: England to win, paying 4/9 with William Hill.

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