India vs New Zealand: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

There have been very few bumps in the road for India in their pursuit of a third Champions Trophy crown and they will be expecting to see off New Zealand in the title decider.

There have been very few bumps in the road for India in their pursuit of a third Champions Trophy crown and they will be expecting to see off New Zealand in the title decider.

While the other teams involved have played their contests in the host nation of Pakistan, India's political tensions with that country have meant they have been stationed in Dubai, which is also the venue for the final.

India have made relatively light work of all four of their opponents, which includes New Zealand in the group stage when they triumphed by 44 runs defending a total of 249.

In the semi-final, the Men in Blue chased down Australia’s total of 264 with 11 balls to spare, a victory in which Virat Kohli stole the show with a knock of 84.

New Zealand responded well to their defeat to India, accounting for South Africa in their semi-final tussle as a total of 362 proved 50 too many for the chasing Proteas.

Both Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson made centuries in that contest, but scoring runs is much harder in Dubai than Lahore and that is likely to play to India’s strengths.

India vs New Zealand free betting tips and predictions

Virat Kohli top India batsman - 3/1

India, having reeled off wins over Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia, look worthy favourites to regain the crown they won at Edgbaston in 2013 and Kohli is likely to be at the forefront.

There are rumours that Kohli could announce his retirement from ODIs after this tournament and if that is the case then he will want to go out on a high note, something which looks very possible given his current form.

Kohli is often the man for the biggest stage, regularly delivering under maximum pressure, and his 84 against Australia in the semi-finals highlighted just that.

The 36-year-old made only 11 in the group-stage win over the Kiwis but he top-scored with an unbeaten 100 against rivals Pakistan and is evidently in fine fettle.

This is a lower-scoring venue than the pitches in Pakistan and batters have to navigate their way through an innings rather than rely on sheer power, something that Kohli is a master at doing.

First innings score under 265.5 - 5/6 

This total has been passed only once in India’s four matches in Dubai, with the Men in Blue chasing down Australia’s total of 264 with four wickets in hand last time out in the semi-final.

That shows the difficulty the batters face at the venue. When these two met in the group stage, India’s total of 249 proved more than enough with New Zealand wiped out for 205 in the chase.

Therefore, the run line of 265.5 may be on the high side, especially given the added pressure of this being a final with some of the best bowlers in the business on show.

Matt Henry top New Zealand bowler - 11/4

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry is the leading wicket-taker in this year’s Champions Trophy with 10 wickets and he has been their go-to man with the ball.

Five of those scalps came in defeat to India in the group phase of the competition and he looks to present the biggest danger to India’s batters.

India coped well with New Zealand’s spin but the pace of Henry and Kyle Jamieson asked constant questions, something the Kiwis should be looking to exploit again.

Read more cricket betting tips and predictions on site

Read India v New Zealand: how to watch, live stream, TV channel, start time and head-to-head stats on site

India vs New Zealand odds

India - 4/11
New Zealand - 11/5

View the full market and more odds for India vs New Zealand on site.

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.