ICC Champions Trophy: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy - the first since 2017 - is set to take place in Pakistan and Dubai, with India heading into the tournament as strong favourites.

Eight nations, including two-time champions Australia, Jos Buttler's England and the emerging stars from Afghanistan, will be looking to lay on a feast of 50-over cricket over the coming few weeks in a competition boasting a £1.75m prize fund.

The eight teams are divided into two groups of four with the top two from each section going on to the semi-finals. The final will be held on March 9th at the Gaddafi International Stadium in Lahore or, if India make it that far, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

ICC Champions Trophy betting tips and predictions

South Africa to win - 13/2

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is almost upon us and for the first time ever we have a major cricket competition without both West Indies and Sri Lanka.

What we do have is Afghanistan, a rising force in the game, continuing to dine at cricket's top table and bullishly talking up their chances in conditions that will suit.

Indeed, of the eight nations taking part only a Bangladesh side in some turmoil look unlikely winners, which means seven of them have their eyes on the first prize.

The pressure on hosts Pakistan and favourites India is inevitably enormous, especially given the added tension between the two states which means Rohit Sharma's men will play their matches in neutral Dubai rather than across their north-western border.

Australia and England are there but in no great form, the same can be said of New Zealand, and suddenly South Africa appear as potential winners and well capable of outrunning their 13/2 price.

The Proteas arrive in the middle-east with the usual tag of 'chokers' and their record in these events isn't pretty.

Since winning the inaugural Champions Trophy back in 1998 they have played in 23 white-ball tournaments and won none, only reaching one final. Additionally, those 27 years of pain feature some serious moments of heartache.

But this team, under Temba Bavuma's stewardship, looks perfectly balanced and more than capable of landing generous odds.

Bavuma stars in a batting line-up anchored by Aiden Markram and blessed with explosive hitters like Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. Pace bowlers, right-armer Kagiso Rabada and left-armer Marco Jansen, are world-class, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has become a master in the art of deflating any run chase.

If they can forget the baggage brought by years of underachievement, they know the talent is there to lift this trophy.

Ravindra Jadeja top India bowler - 10/1

The absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a definitive negative for India but they are not short of other weapons to play in their games in spin-friendly Dubai.

Eight of India's 15-man squad are slow bowlers with either Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy taking the leg-spinner berth alongside a barrage of spin-bowling all-rounders.

Of the trio of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, it's the latter who catches the eye at an eye-catching 10/1 to be his side's top wicket-taker.

The 36-year-old, who will play his 200th ODI during the tournament, comes fresh off two 50-over showdowns with England in which he took 3-26 and 3-35. 

He hurries batsmen up, they go after him, he accepts gifts, and he's been doing it since he made his debut in 2009.

Ben Duckett top England batter - 10/3

The recalled Joe Root and captain Jos Buttler head the top England batter betting and their pedigree at this level is beyond question.

However, neither man shone in India recently where Ben Duckett was the pick of the England top order.

A compulsive sweeper who is happy to take on the barrage of spin bowling coming England's way, the opener scored 131 runs in three knocks against the Indian spin kings.

He has recovered from a groin injury and will lead from the front in all three Group B games against Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa. Whether he - and his team - get a fourth or fifth game is up for debate.

Daryl Mitchell top New Zealand batter - 4/1

The New Zealanders really have gone for experience this time - 11 of their 15-man squad are 30 or over - and one of their mainstays is the man to back for top batsman honours.

Daryl Mitchell starred for the Black Caps at the last World Cup, scoring 552 runs, including an astonishing 134 as New Zealand fell short against India in the semis.

He has warmed up for this tournament with a couple of half-centuries against Pakistan in conditions he can clearly master and he arguably shouldn't be fourth in the Kiwis' top-scorer list.

Read more cricket betting tips and predictions on site.

ICC Champions Trophy odds

India - 13/8
Australia - 9/2
England - 6/1
South Africa - 13/2
New Zealand - 7/1
Pakistan - 7/1
Afghanistan - 18/1
Bangladesh - 100/1

View the full market and more odds for the ICC Champions Trophy on site.

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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.