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CricketSri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027 · game 3 of 8

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI prediction

New Zealand58% · fair 1.72
KhelKing lean58%New Zealand 58%, Sri Lanka 42%
Sri Lanka42% · fair 2.38
Start
Start time to be confirmed
Date
Mon, 25 Jan 2027
Venue
University Oval, Dunedin
Format
ODI · 50 overs · flat, run-heavy pitch
By KhelKing Cricket Desk, match analysisUpdated

The case · 01

Who wins NZ vs SL, and why?

The argument for the favourite, and the route to an upset.

Why they should win

New Zealand

  1. Rated 58% by KhelKing, which is a fair back price of 1.72.
  2. A projected 15-run cushion in the first-innings total (343 to 328).
  3. Home conditions: New Zealand know a flat, run-heavy surface like this better than anyone.
  4. Finn Allen, their likeliest match-winner (steady hand in a chase).

How they could upset it

Sri Lanka

  1. 42% to win, which is close to an even chance.
  2. One big session can flip the momentum of a series.
  3. Rain or a shortened game adds randomness, and randomness helps the underdog.
  4. Angelo Mathews can win a game single-handed (balances the xi).

By the numbers · 02

How many runs will New Zealand and Sri Lanka score?

Projected runs in each phase of the first innings at University Oval.

  • New Zealand rated 58%, a clear lean. Back them only at 1.72 or longer.
  • A pitch that suits batters, with New Zealand projected to post the higher total.
  • New Zealand have home conditions in their favour.
KhelKing pick
New Zealand
Format
ODI · 50 overs
Pitch
flat, run-heavy
Suits
Batters
Powerplay (0-10)
Middle Overs (11-40)
Death Overs (41-50)
New Zealand Sri LankaInnings: NZ 317-369 · SL 303-353

Deciding factors · 03

Which factors will settle this match?

The pitch first, then the two factors carrying the most weight in this fixture.

  1. Pitch read

    A batting deck: consistent bounce, good carry and little sideways movement. Death bowling and change-ups will set how high the scores go. Both teams will lean on the batters, so the deeper attack counts.

    EdgeEven

  2. Batting edge

    The projection hands New Zealand a 15-run cushion, the single biggest reason the model sides with them.

    EdgeNew Zealand

  3. Series pressure

    A win puts New Zealand in charge with 5 games to go. A defeat hands Sri Lanka the momentum.

    EdgeNew Zealand

How to play it · 04

How should you back or lay NZ vs SL on KhelKing?

Fair prices for both teams, then three selections from the safest to the boldest.

Back

New Zealand

Accept 1.72 or longer. A ₹100 back at 1.72 pays ₹172 including your stake.

Fair price1.7258%
Lay

Sri Lanka

Lay only at 2.38 or shorter. At 2.38, a ₹100 lay puts ₹138 at risk to win ₹100.

Fair price2.3842%
SaferThree ways to play itBolder

  1. AnchorLowest risk

    Match odds

    Back New Zealand

    Our most likely outcome. Once the back price drops below 1.72, the value is gone.

    58% chance1.72

  2. ValueBalanced

    New Zealand first-innings total

    Over 326.5

    We project about 343, comfortably clear of 326.5, so a slow start can still land it.

    56% chance1.79

  3. Long shotHighest reward

    Top team batter

    Finn Allen (New Zealand)

    Steady hand in a chase. A long-odds market, so keep the stake small.

    20% chance5.00

Match-winners · 05

Who can swing New Zealand vs Sri Lanka?

Impact scores estimate how likely each player is to settle the result. XIs are named at the toss.

New Zealand

  • Finn Allen90

    Steady hand in a chase

  • Tim Southee84

    Trusted at the end of the innings

Sri Lanka

  • Angelo Mathews86

    Balances the XI

  • Sadeera Samarawickrama91

    Fast starter at the top

What could change · 06

What would change the KhelKing prediction?

Team news and conditions that would move our numbers before the first ball.

  1. If

    Finn Allen misses out

    Then

    New Zealand would drop by about five points, turning this into a slight lean.

  2. If

    the surface looks drier or greener than expected at the toss

    Then

    More help for the bowlers would narrow the gap between the two batting orders.

  3. If

    rain cuts the overs

    Then

    A shorter game adds randomness, which works in the underdog's favour.

The long read · 07

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match preview

At 42%, Sri Lanka are far from out of it, but they need their best players to deliver on the same day.

With 5 games of Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027 still to play, match 3 can tilt the series. New Zealand rate 58% because both their batting and their attack fit these flat, run-heavy conditions a little better. New Zealand are on home soil, and the model adds a few percentage points for that. At 42%, Sri Lanka are far from out of it, but they need their best players to deliver on the same day.

On the toss: Batting or fielding first offers no real edge while the surface stays this good.

Series window, not a confirmed XI date. Confirm the date on match day.

Fixture timeline · 08

Fixture timeline: 3rd ODI

Rest days, travel and what comes next in Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand, 2027.

The 3rd ODI is staged at University Oval in Dunedin on Mon, 25 Jan 2027, game 3 of 8 in the series.

The 2nd ODI comes 5 days before this game at Sky Stadium in Wellington, so the squads travel to Dunedin in between. A long gap resets both dressing rooms, so momentum from the last game counts for less than usual.

Next on the calendar: the 1st T20I, 4 days after this game at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

  1. 20 Jan2nd ODI: New Zealand vs Sri LankaSky Stadium
  2. 25 Jan · this match3rd ODI: New Zealand vs Sri LankaUniversity Oval
  3. 29 Jan1st T20I: New Zealand vs Sri LankaHagley Oval

Keep reading

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FAQ · 10 questions

NZ vs SL 3rd ODI FAQs

Quick, straight answers to what cricket, football and tennis fans ask us most.

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Who will win the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI?

KhelKing expects New Zealand to win, rating them 58% against 42% for Sri Lanka, which is a clear lean. The pick blends team ratings, home advantage and how a flat, run-heavy surface at University Oval should play.

What are the fair odds for New Zealand in the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI?

A 58% rating converts to fair decimal odds of 1.72 for New Zealand and 2.38 for Sri Lanka. If the exchange back price is shorter than that, the bet offers no value by our numbers.

What time does the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI start in India?

The series window places it on Mon, 25 Jan 2027 (start time to be confirmed) at University Oval, Dunedin, but the board has not yet confirmed the date or start time. KhelKing updates this page as soon as it does.

What is the pitch report for University Oval in the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI?

We expect a flat, run-heavy surface that should favour the batters. A batting deck: consistent bounce, good carry and little sideways movement. Death bowling and change-ups will set how high the scores go.

Should the captain bat or bowl first in the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI?

Batting or fielding first offers no real edge while the surface stays this good. The toss takes place about 30 minutes before the start, when both XIs are named.

Can Sri Lanka win the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI?

Yes, though they need early wickets or a match-winning knock. KhelKing gives Sri Lanka a 42% chance, and that climbs if they win a toss that matters or New Zealand change their best XI.

Why could Sri Lanka upset New Zealand in the NZ vs SL 3rd ODI?

42% to win, which is close to an even chance. One big session can flip the momentum of a series. Rain or a shortened game adds randomness, and randomness helps the underdog. Angelo Mathews can win a game single-handed (balances the xi).

How should I trade the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI on KhelKing?

By KhelKing numbers, back New Zealand at 1.72 or longer, or lay Sri Lanka at 2.38 or shorter. A lay wins whenever Sri Lanka fail to win; at 2.38, a ₹100 lay carries ₹138 of liability. Prices move before and during play, so check the live back and lay odds first.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI match kaun jeetega?

KhelKing ke model ke mutabik New Zealand ka palda bhaari hai: 58%, jabki Sri Lanka ka 42%. Match Mon, 25 Jan 2027 (start time to be confirmed) shuru hoga. Yeh ek anumaan hai, guarantee nahi.

NZ vs SL 3rd ODI ke liye Dunedin ki pitch report kya hai?

Humara andaaza hai ki pitch flat, run-heavy rahegi, yaani batting ke liye badhiya pitch hai, bada score ban sakta hai. Toss match se lagbhag aadha ghanta pehle hoga.

The win chances, projected scores and picks here come from the KhelKing model, which weighs team strength, venue history and conditions. They are estimates, never guarantees, and every bet settles at the live exchange price you accept. For adults 18+ only. Fix a budget before you bet and gamble responsibly.

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