Sri Lanka vs England 1st ODI Match Prediction, Preview, Betting Tips and Who will win today’s ODI match between SLvs ENG?

Sri Lanka (SL) and England (ENG) kick off their three-match ODI series tomorrow, January 22, 2026, at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Both teams rock up with question marks hanging over them. Sri Lanka’s home record looks solid – they beat Australia 2-0 and Bangladesh 2-1 last year – but they’re coming off a series loss in Pakistan. England’s in worse shape. They got hammered 4-1 in the Ashes and went down 3-0 to New Zealand in ODIs. The hosts have the advantage of home conditions and spin-friendly pitches. England needs to shake off their struggles fast or this could turn ugly. Let’s Break down with expert analysis, betting insights, team performance, pitch report, and our SL vs ENG 1st ODI Match Prediction. Who will win today’s match?

Team Performance

Sri Lanka: Team Preview & Performance

Sri Lanka just got back from Pakistan where they lost the ODI series 2-1. Pakistan nicked a couple of tight ones. The T20s went better – they won some games in that tri-series over there and got through to the finals. Back home earlier last year, they took down Bangladesh 2-1 in ODIs and smashed Australia 2-0. You can see the pattern – they’re all over the place away from home, but put them on their own pitches and they usually show up. Now Sri Lanka to host England in home Three ODI and T20 matches. Tomorrow they are facing each other in first ODI match against England and they have home ground advantage and look stronger to win this first ODI match.

England: Team Preview & Performance

England land in Sri Lanka after a rough time in the Ashes. Australia thumped them 4-1 down under, with the last Test in Sydney wrapping up in early January. Their ODI form hasn’t been much better – New Zealand whitewashed them 3-0 back in October when they toured there. They’ve struggled outside England,.

The squad’s got plenty of firepower, no question. But Sri Lanka’s turning tracks and the heat are going to test them. They’re here for three ODIs and the first one’s tomorrow. England will be desperate to get off the mark with a win.

SL vs ENG Today’s Match Pitch Report and Toss Factor

For tomorrow’s 1st ODI on January 22, 2026, the pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium will be dry and turn plenty – that’s just how it is in Colombo with the black soil. Early on, batters can cash in when it’s flat, but it gets slower as the game goes on. Second innings gets tricky when the spinners start ripping it.

Winning the toss matters big time here. Nearly every captain bats first. The numbers back it up – teams batting first have won 102 times compared to 70 for teams chasing. First innings scores average around 230, but that drops to 188 in the second dig. Put runs on the board first – that’s the play at this ground.

Also, check live ODI Match Betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.

SL vs ENG Today’s 1st ODI Match Weather Condition:

• Temperature: 27.1°C
• Humidity: 70%
• Rain: 0% Rain of chance
• Wind direction: N
• Wind speed: 18.7KPH

Sri Lanka vs England – Probable Playing XI (1st ODI Match 2026)

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana

England Predicted Playing XI: Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton

Today Match Prediction: Team chasing are favourites to win today’s SL vs ENG 1st ODI Match 2026.

ODI Betting Insights for SL vs ENG 1st ODI Match 2026

• Who will win the toss Today: SL to win the toss and elect to Bat first.
• Top Batter Performance: Pathum Nissanka
• Top Bowler Performance: Adil Rashid
• Today’s ODI betting tips: Team batting first are safe bet to play today’s SL vs ENG 1st ODI match 2026.