England and India will play a pivotal Test at Old Trafford this week, with England hunting a series-win and India looking to strike back after a narrow defeat at Lord's to stay in the series. Here are the best Spread Ex Sports odds for the pivotal match.
The series heated up at Lord's, with England sealing a tight victory in the final session of a tense final day's play. That win means they take a 2-1 lead going into the Manchester Test, and a win will give them a series victory. Having won key moments in all three Test so far, India will be disappointed with the scoreline going into the game, and are battling with several injuries to key members of their squad.
England have already named their XI for the match, with all-rounder Liam Dawson poised for his Test return, eight years after his last appearance in the format. If rain stays away for the majority of the game, it's set to be a hard-fought encounter.
England take early favourites tag
It's not surprising that England are preferred by the bookies to win the match. Spread Ex Sport puts their chances at 19/20 to end up as winners of the game. India have never won a Test at Old Trafford, losing four of their nine matches at the ground. On their last visit in 2014, they lost by an innings and 54 runs, and were bowled out for under 200 twice in the game.
However, the series has been too close to call for the majority of its game-time so far, with India registering a heavy victory at Edgbaston in between their two narrow defeats at Headingley and Lord's. If there is a time for them to reverse their fortunes in Manchester, now would be it.
Key player: Jamie Smith to continue golden run
The young Surrey wicketkeeper has been England's best batter of the series so far, lighting up Edgbaston before scoring a crucial half-century at Lord's. As such Spread Ex Sport have named him their recommended trade of the game, giving him a performance spread of 117. This means that buyers will get one point per run Smith scores, 10 points for each catch, 20 points for a wicket and 25 for a stumping. Over the first three Tests, Smith's performance spreads would have read 119, 327 and 124, so 117 would be a reasonable expectation for Old Trafford.
Brydon Carse was last game's recommended trade, with those who snapped up the deal won 26 times their stake after he scored 57 runs across both innings.
Jaiswal and Duckett lead batting expectations
Openers for both England and India are expected to be the top batters in the game. Yashasvi Jaiswal made a century in the opening game at Headingley, before scoring 87 in the first innings at Edgbaston. His quieter returns in the third Test mean he's due a big score in Manchester, and he's backed by Spread Ex Sports at 24/5 to deliver. His opposing number, Ben Duckett, is also backed to score big runs in the game, with his odds of scoring the most runs in the game reading 9/2. Since scoring over 200 runs in the first match, Duckett's returns have been more modest, but few are able to keep the England all-format start quiet for long.
Archer v Bumrah in battle of the speedsters
Jofra Archer's fairytale return at Lord's did not disappoint, reaching speeds above 90mph consistently and producing magic deliveries like the one that dismissed Rishabh Pant on the final day. Jasprit Bumrah playing back-to-back Tests is another opportunity to see two top-tier pacers in action. Both are highly favoured to be the best bowler for their respective sides by Spread Ex Sports.
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