Leicestershire vs Essex Prediction: Who Will Win 37th ODI Match on 17th August 2025?

The upcoming 37th ODI of the Metro Bank One Day Cup 2025 features Leicestershire against Essex, and cricket fans are eagerly awaiting to see who comes out on top. This Leicestershire vs Essex prediction is especially intriguing as both teams come into the contest with mixed form. Leicestershire, with two wins and two losses, sit in the mid-table but have the talent to surge ahead in the competition. Essex, meanwhile, have been struggling, managing just one win in their first four games, but their record-breaking 417-run onslaught against Surrey has shown glimpses of their destructive potential. With Sol Budinger and Shan Masood leading Leicestershire’s batting and Alex Green spearheading their bowling, the Foxes look balanced. On the other hand, Essex’s Curtis Campher and Charlie Allison have stepped up with the bat, while Charlie Bennett and Jamie Porter provide firepower with the ball. With the match scheduled at Grace Road, Leicester, the Foxes will fancy their home advantage, but Essex’s unpredictability keeps this clash wide open.

Match Details

Team Previews

Leicestershire Preview

Leicestershire’s start to the season has been steady, with two wins and two losses keeping them mid-table. The team’s batting relies heavily on the aggression of Sol Budinger, who has been in devastating form, striking a century off just 80 balls earlier in the tournament. His ability to dominate bowlers early gives Leicestershire a significant advantage. Alongside him, Shan Masood has been a calming presence, scoring back-to-back fifties and stabilizing the innings. Captain Peter Handscomb and Lewis Hill provide depth in the middle order, while wicketkeeper Ben Cox has shown the ability to chip in with crucial runs.

On the bowling front, Alex Green has been the standout, leading the tournament wickets tally with two five-fors and 11 wickets in just four matches. He has been complemented by Liam Trevaskis, whose left-arm spin has been crucial in the middle overs, claiming seven wickets including a superb 5/52. Supporting bowlers like Ben Mike and Chris Wright add depth, making Leicestershire a well-rounded side.

Essex Preview

Essex’s campaign so far has been underwhelming, but their last performance against Surrey showcased their batting firepower. Curtis Campher’s blistering 123* off 68 balls demonstrated his ability to turn games on their head. Youngster Charlie Allison has been consistent, averaging over 40, and provides stability at the top. Tom Westley and Matthew Critchley offer valuable experience, while Luc Benkenstein and Simon Harmer add versatility in both batting and bowling.

Bowling, however, remains Essex’s weaker link. Charlie Bennett showed promise with a five-wicket haul against Surrey, but he needs more support from experienced campaigners like Jamie Porter, who is capable of early breakthroughs. Essex’s challenge will be maintaining consistency, particularly in bowling, as they look to contain a dangerous Leicestershire batting lineup.

Squads

Leicestershire Squad: Ian Holland, Soloman Budinger, Lewis Hill, Shan Masood, Peter Handscomb(c), Ben Cox(w), Liam Trevaskis, Ben Mike, Tom Scriven, Chris Wright, Alex Green, Rishi Patel, Sam Wood, Chris Lewis

Essex Squad: Robin Das, Matthew Critchley, Tom Westley(c), Charlie Allison, Luc Benkenstein, Curtis Campher, Simon Harmer, Simon Fernandes(w), Jamal Richards, Charlie Bennett, Jamie Porter, Nick Browne, Shane Snater, Noah Thain

Probable Playing XI

Leicestershire: Sol Budinger, Shan Masood, Lewis Hill, Peter Handscomb (c), Rishi Patel, Ben Cox (wk), Liam Trevaskis, Alex Green, Ben Mike, Tom Scriven, Chris Wright

Essex: Robin Das, Charlie Allison, Tom Westley (c), Matthew Critchley, Curtis Campher, Luc Benkenstein, Simon Harmer, Simon Fernandes (wk), Charlie Bennett, Jamie Porter, Shane Snater

Fantasy Team XI

Captain Picks: Curtis Campher, Alex Green
Vice-Captain Picks: Peter Handscomb, Shan Masood
Players to Avoid: Nick Browne (inconsistent form), Jamal Richards (expensive bowler)

Explanation: Campher’s explosive form makes him the best captain pick, while Green’s wicket-taking ability makes him a match-winner. Handscomb’s experience and Shan Masood’s form make them ideal vice-captaincy choices.

Favorite Team Today

Leicestershire head into this contest as the favorites due to their better balance between batting and bowling. Sol Budinger’s explosive batting at the top and Shan Masood’s composure provide them with a strong start, while their middle order has depth with Handscomb and Cox. What truly sets them apart, however, is their bowling attack. Alex Green has been the standout performer of the tournament, with his ability to dismantle line-ups, while Liam Trevaskis offers variety and control. Essex, despite their record-breaking performance against Surrey, remain inconsistent with the ball, and their reliance on Campher’s brilliance is risky. Playing at home in Leicester further tilts the balance in the Foxes’ favor. Unless Essex can replicate their batting heroics and improve their bowling discipline, Leicestershire look more likely to dominate and secure the two crucial points in this encounter.

Pitch Report

The Grace Road pitch traditionally offers good batting conditions, especially under sunny weather. Spinners get some purchase in the middle overs, but overall, batters enjoy playing their shots. A score around 260–280 is competitive here.

Weather Report

Weather in Leicester is expected to be partly cloudy but dry, with temperatures hovering around 22°C. No rain interruptions are expected.

Broadcast Details

The match will be live-streamed on Fancode & YouTube.

Toss Prediction

The toss winner is likely to bat first, as the pitch gets slower in the second innings.

Match Prediction

Winner: Leicestershire will win

Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.

Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.

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