England v Pakistan 2nd Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News and Predictions – 13/08/2020
England are looking to wrap up a series victory over Pakistan for the first time in 10 years.
Pakistan will be keen to level matters after such an impressive showing in the first Test. They came close to the win and will feel they have a point to prove in Southampton.
Take a look at our expert free betting tips ahead of the next clash.
Bet Tips:
England’s first dismissal to be LBW with bet365 live betting
Mohammad Abbas to be Pakistan’s top first innings bowler at 3.75 with LeoVegas
Zak Crawley to be England’s top first innings run-scorer at 7.00 with LeoVegas
James Anderson to be England’s top first innings bowler at 4.25 with 10CRIC
England v Pakistan 2nd Test – Match Preview
Pakistan caused England plenty of issues in the first Test and can do so again, especially with their ever-improving pace attack.
England will want their openers to fire this time and make life a lot easier in their quest to take the series win.
Where: Ageas Bowl, Southampton, England
When: Thursday, 13th August
Start Time: 16:30 (IST), 11:00 (GMT)
Pitch conditions: The pitch at Southampton is known for offering something for both pace and spin attacks. The fact it has seen so much action already this summer suggests spin could also feature even quicker than normal.
Weather conditions: Thundery showers are expected for most of the first day. The forecast suggests lighter showers on each of the other days except for Saturday.
England v Pakistan 2nd Test – Latest Odds
England are favourites to follow up their Old Trafford success with another win in Southampton.
They can be backed at 1.91 (10/11) with bet365 to take the victory. Pakistan are available at 4.0 (3/1). The draw is at 3.5 (5/2).
England v Pakistan 2nd Test – Team News
The big news for England is the absence of star all-rounder Ben Stokes.
He has left to return to New Zealand due to family reasons and will now miss the final two Test matches against Pakistan.
It means Zak Crawley could now return to the side at number three, with skipper Joe Root shifting back down the order.
Sam Curran is also waiting in the wings but the choice to go with Crawley looks the most likely given that Stokes only bowled four overs in the first Test.
Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson will link up with the squad in Southampton but the home side will be tempted to stick with the same bowling attack.
Mark Wood remains another option for Root should they look to rotate one of Jofra Archer and Jimmy Anderson.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will have plenty of positives to take from the defeat. It was a match that looked to be heading their way for a long time.
They will also be tempted to stick to the same bowling attack that looked to have just the right balance at Old Trafford.
If any changes do come then it may be to strengthen their batting line up. It was their second innings collapse that cost them the win last time.
Fawad Alam, 34, could be considered for this role despite not playing Test cricket in 11 years. He has, however, continued to score in domestic cricket and showed some form in the inter-squad warm-up matches.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan looks most in danger if the tourists choose to bolster their batting.
England v Pakistan – Squads
England | Pakistan |
Joe Root (captain) | Azhar Ali (captain) |
Mark Wood | Babar Azam |
James Anderson | Abid Ali |
Jofra Archer | Asad Shafiq |
Dom Bess | Faheem Ashraf |
Stuart Broad | Fawad Alam |
Rory Burns | Imam-ul-Haq |
Jos Buttler | Imran Khan |
Zak Crawley | Kashif Bhatti |
Sam Curran | Mohammad Abbas |
Ollie Pope | Mohammad Rizwan |
Dom Sibley | Naseem Shah |
Chris Woakes | Sarfaraz Ahmed |
Shadab Khan | |
Shaheen Afridi | |
Shan Masood | |
Sohail Khan | |
Usman Shinwari | |
Wahab Riaz | |
Yasir Shah |
England v Pakistan 2nd Test – Betting Tips and Prediction
England are the favourites to take the win here but are not an appealing betting proposition at the prices.
They lost against the Windies at this ground last time up and are without Stokes, which also hinders them in the field as well as with both bat and ball.
The draw could be the better bet considering the weather conditions that are expected in Southampton over the five days.
There are plenty of other markets to consider too.
Take note of Anderson’s record at the Ageas
Jimmy Anderson has a fine record in Southampton and can bounce back from a quiet first Test in Manchester.
He has 16 wickets in four Test matches at the Ageas Bowl and bowled with real menace in the first innings at this venue against the Windies.
His price of 4.25 (13/4) with 10CRIC to be England’s first innings top bowler has to be worth considering.
Crawley to Return with a Bang
If Zak Crawley does return to the side as expected, he could be a good pick to be England’s first innings run-scorer.
The talented youngster will have a point to prove and could be the value selection. There was a lot to like about his last showing at the Ageas Bowl as he made a second-innings 76 despite his side slipping to defeat.
He can build on that should England’s openers struggle again. With no Ben Stokes to come in behind him, his price of 7.00 (6/1) with LeoVegas looks too big.
Abbas to Shine in the First Innings
Mohammad Abbas bowled well in the first Test and was a little unlucky not to have a few more wickets to his name.
The conditions in Southampton will suit and he can be Pakistan’s top first innings bowler at 3.75 (11/4) with LeoVegas.
Live Betting Tip – England’s First Dismissal to be LBW
While betting before the game begins is great to do, live betting while the action is underway can bring even more options.
One bet to consider is the method of first dismissal when England are batting. Look to back LBW once this market becomes available.
Both Burns and Sibley have been trapped leg-before too many times this summer. While Sibley looks a prime candidate playing off his pads as often as he does, Burns has struggled even more.
Burns has been trapped in front four times in his last seven innings, with Sibley chalking up another three of his own. bet365 live betting options are a great choice for these wagers.
Be sure to take a look at our bet round-up so you have everything you need ahead of the next match.