England vs Italy T20 World Cup 2026 Betting Tips & Best Picks

England VS Italy / Group C / Match 29 D/N / Eden Gardens

Back England for Highest Opening Partnership 2Pts @4/7

Back England Over 9.5 Sixes 1 Pt @10/11

Back Crishan Kalugamage for Top Italy Bowler 1Pt @4/1

(*Odds accurate at time of publishing)

Euro Curse Ended

In beating Scotland on Saturday it marked England's first ever win against European opposition at a T20 World cup , having been beaten twice by the Netherlands and Ireland in 2022. In terms of sporting trivia a stat that can match the one just stated is that the Italian cricket team have won as many matches at World cups as the Azzurri's football team since 2006.

England have one foot in the Super 8s going into this first meeting with Italy , but the way they limped to victory last time out is notable and what's more concerning I find is no real standout performers with bat and ball so far other than Bethell (120 Runs) and the response from Adil Rashid (5 Wickets) after Game 1.

Backing England to fire with the bat

That being said , they got their win against Scotland and are rightfully @1/18 against Italy here. It's a decent batting track at Eden Gardens and that first innings score of 155 was way under par. IPL historical average is 165.29 but 172-182 are frequently hit.

I fully expect some of our batters who've not gone onto make a score come Good here and that may include Salt and Buttler who've both made starts. The Mosca brothers for Italy are clearly in Good nick after that Nepal Blitz but the @4/7 with BetWright for England having the highest opening partnership isn't short enough and is a strong bet.

I was torn on the sixes betting as I feel the line for Italy is underwhelming at 4.5 considering they have managed that feat at regularity likewise with England's line at 9.5 given the Wicket at Eden Gardens and of course the opposition. So hoping they bat first, Backing over 9.5 England sides @10/11 should be comfortable.

Kalugamage can highlight the Italians class

@4/1 with BetWright, Crishan Kalugamage looks a strong value play to finish as Italy’s top bowler against England. In T20Is, he has taken 12 wickets in 9 matches, striking every 15.5 balls with an economy of 6.96, very much a standout for an Associate spinner. He underlined his match-winning ability last time out producing 3/18 (4 overs) in Italy’s win over Nepal. I really do like how this leggie goes about his business.

Italy have been one of the standout Associate sides so far at the  World Cup, claiming a historic first World Cup win and competing fearlessly against higher-ranked opposition. I expect them to do so against England and then in their final match against the West Indies.