South Africa v Sri Lanka tips, prediction & odds; 1st Test Preview

Welcome to our South Africa v Sri Lanka betting tips, prediction and odds analysis ahead of their Boxing Day Test beginning on Saturday at Centurion Park.

The home team is a heavy favorite in the betting, priced at $1.29 to win, while Sri Lanka are paying around the $7.00 mark with cricket betting sites. The draw is priced at $6.50.

The clash will go ahead despite two South African players — Beuran Hendricks and Keegan Petersen — testing positive to Covid-19 and being withdrawn from the Proteas’ 19-man squad.

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Hendricks was in the box seat to be the Proteas’ third seamer in the absence of the injured Kagiso Rabada, but they are now likely to play Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje and blood an untried pace bowler. The three in the mix look to be Glenton Stuurman, Migael Pretorius and Lutho Sipamla.

Sri Lanka announced a 22-man Test squad for the World Test Championships series on December 18, but have been forced to exclude Angelo Matthews because of injury. Minod Bhanuka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Asitha Fernando, Santhush Gunathilake and Dilshan Madushanka are the uncapped players in the squad.

South Africa squad

Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Sarel Erwee, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Raynard van Tonder

Sri Lanka squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Santhush Gunathilake.

South Africa v Sri Lanka match details and odds

Start:	Saturday, December 26, 2020
Venue:	Centurion
Head-to-head odds:	South Africa $1.29, Sri Lanka $7, Draw $6.50.
Top batsman betting:	TBC
Top bowler betting:	TBC

South Africa v Sri Lanka 1st Test prediction 26/12/2020

It’s hard to look past the South Africans in this contest, largely because they have the home ground advantage. We have heard plenty of words from South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith that they are going to blood youngsters, while new skipper de Kock has indicated the same. Keep a close eye on the line-ups and betting sites, because the wily Sri Lankans won’t roll over and this could be much closer than the odds suggest. Our final South Africa v Sri Lanka prediction: Proteas to win, but stick to the player markets and specials in this one.

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