England Women face reigning champions New Zealand Women in the final round of group matches in the Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval on Saturday evening.
The hosts have already locked in a semi-final spot, while the Kiwis will only know if they are still alive in the competition shortly before the start of play.
Their qualification hopes are in the hands of Ireland seeing off the West Indies earlier in the day and then coming out on top against England.
England have been perfect so far with four wins from four to top the group, while the White Ferns have two defeats and two victories to their name.
As a result, New Zealand do not control their own destiny, with the West Indies two points ahead, the Kiwis require an unlikely favour from Ireland, who have lost all four matches so far, to give them a sniff of a top-two finish.
If Ireland can shock the West Indies, then New Zealand will need to beat England to set up a semi-final place where they will almost certainly face Australia.
England Women v New Zealand Women Tips Summary
Best Bet - Match Handicap - England Women -5.5 wkts/-24.5 runs @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Danni Wyatt-Hodge over 22.5 runs @ 5/6
Bet Builder - England highest opening partnership, Brooke Halliday 30+ runs & Sophie Ecclestone 2+ wickets @ 11/1
England Women v New Zealand Women Prediction
Best Bet: England Women -5.5 wkts/-24.5 runs @ 4/5
New Zealand's defence of their T20 crown has been a disappointing one with two defeats from their opening four matches.
The Kiwis could already be out of the tournament by the time the first ball is bowled at The Oval, but even if they are still in with a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, it will be a tough task as victory is required against unbeaten England.
The host nation have been superb so far in this competition with four wins from four and will want to continue that momentum into the knockout stages.
A win for England and top spot in the group is secured. Defeat, and England are still likely to finish in first place, but it would be on net run rate if the West Indies see off Ireland earlier in the day as expected.
The permutations are likely to be unneeded with England possessing greater quality and strength in depth than their visitors this weekend.
The hosts should have too much quality for New Zealand and can run out comfortable winners to maintain their 100% record.
So far this tournament, England have won two of their matches by 38 runs, one by four wickets as well as a thumping 87-run victory and should be able to cover the handicap line in this fixture.
Alternative Bet: Danni Wyatt-Hodge over 22.5 runs @ 5/6
Wyatt-Hodge is in the form of her life and is the leading scorer in this summer's tournament to date.
The opener has compiled 193 runs in four innings at an average of 64.33 with a high score of 105 not out. She scored 65 in her last knock and looks good value to score 23 runs or more in this contest.
England Women v New Zealand Women Bet Builder Tip
- England highest opening partnership
- Brooke Halliday 30+ runs
- Sophie Ecclestone to take 2+ wickets
Pays 11/1
England’s opening partnership of Amy Jones and Wyatt-Hodge is a formidable one, even if Jones has not quite hit her usual heights so far this tournament.
However, such is her ability with the bat, and given Wyatt-Hodge's current form, backing the England pair to outscore their New Zealand counterparts appeals.
The White Ferns' Brooke Halliday has played an important part for the Kiwis this tournament, coming in at five, she has provided some much-needed impetus to her team's cause and accrued 122 runs at 40.66 in her four appearances.
She is New Zealand’s leading run scorer for the tournament and her runs will be needed if her side is to compete with England.
Rounding out the Bet Builder is backing England’s most reliable bowler to take two or more wickets.
Sophie Ecclestone is behind only Shree Charani for most wickets taken so far in this tournament. The English left-arm spinner has eight from four matches with best figures of 3-22.
With the added element of the scorching weather the UK has had of late the slow bowlers' roles will be even more important this weekend and Ecclestone has all the nous needed to take multiple wickets in this contest.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- England lead the T20I head-to-head against New Zealand 34-9
- England's Danni Wyatt-Hodge is the tournament's leading run scorer with 193 runs
- Sophie Ecclestone is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with eight wickets at an economy rate of 5.87
- New Zealand's Brooke Halliday is her team's top run scorer with 122 at an average of 40.66
- England have won nine of their last 10 T20I matches against New Zealand
Tactics, Form & Team News
Stand-in captain Charlie Dean will lead England once again with Nat Sciver-Brunt continuing her recovery from a calf injury.
England are taking no risks with the skipper and will give her another match off in her bid to recover in time for the last-four stage of the tournament.
Sciver-Brunt is expected to be passed fit for the semi-finals, having joined in batting practice earlier in the week.
With the captain still on the sidelines, the team is expected to remain unchanged from their victory last time out over the West Indies.
Expected England XI: Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Charlie Dean (c), Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell.
Captain Melie Kerr promoted herself up the order last time out and joined Isabella Gaze in opening up after Georgia Plimmer was dropped from the side.
The move was not entirely successful with neither opener going on to make a significant score.
It did, however, get Izzy Sharp up the order, and she returned that faith with a knock of 62 and is likely to keep her spot at number three.
Expected New Zealand XI: Melie Kerr (c), Isabella Gaze (wk), Izzy Sharp, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Greene, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Bree Illing.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
