London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants Prediction: Buttler to serve up more batting treats?

Andy Flower’s London Spirit begin their campaign on Thursday against Manchester Super Giants, the rebranded Manchester Originals, who now have former Spirit head coach Justin Langer in the dugout. Dan Thomas picks out the best bets…

Let’s check out his London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants prediction...

Where to watch London Spirit vs Manchester Super Giants

The match starts at 18:30 BST on Thursday 23 July at Lord's. Live coverage is on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with the women's match also available earlier in the day. Viewers outside the UK should check their local listings.

Can London Spirit flower in 2026?

London Spirit finished a disappointing seventh in last year's competition but have made some intriguing additions to a squad captained by Liam Livingstone. The arrival of Andy Flower as head coach is the most significant change, with the former England coach bringing a wealth of experience from international and franchise cricket.

Livingstone remains the obvious batting headline act while the addition of stars such as James Coles - the most expensive player in the auction at £390,000 - Jonny Bairstow and Dewald Brevis gives Spirit plenty of firepower

The bowling attack has variety, with former Invincibles star Adam Zampa providing a genuine wicket-taking threat through the middle overs and the likes of Tymal Mills, Adam Milne and T20 Finals Day hero David Willey offering contrasting pace options.

Manchester Super Giants begin Langer era

Manchester Super Giants have also undergone a significant transformation after taking over from the Manchester Originals, with former Spirit head coach Justin Langer now in charge, as they look to improve on last year’s sixth placed standing.

Jos Buttler comes into the tournament in fine fettle, fresh off the back of smashing 41 off 13 balls in the last ODI against India here at Lord’s, while South African pair Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen bring experience and heavy hitting to the middle order.

Young paceman Sonny Baker was a breakout star in last year’s competition and arrives after claiming a five-fer on T20 Finals Day, while England spinner Liam Dawson remains one of the most reliable white-ball operators in the game.

Predicted line-ups

London Spirit: Jonny Bairstow, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Liam Livingstone (c), Dewald Brevis, James Coles, David Willey, Jamie Overton, Adam Milne, Tymal Mills, Adam Zampa, Mason Crane

Manchester Super Giants: Jos Buttler, Tim Seifert, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Leus du Plooy, Paul Walter, Tom Moores, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Noor Ahmad, Sonny Baker

Pitch & conditions

Lord's was a challenging batting venue at the start of last year's Hundred, with London Spirit bowled out for just 80 by Oval Invincibles in the opening men's game, although conditions became more favourable as the tournament progressed, with Spirit later posting 162/5 against Trent Rockets and 186/4 against Southern Brave.

This year’s international cricket has shown two sides of the wicket at HQ, with a minefield for the England vs New Zealand Test and a road for the recent ODI against India.

The weather forecast is currently favourable, with dry conditions expected and temperatures around the low 20s.

Key odds

London Spirit are 4/5 favourites for their home opener, with Manchester Super Giants available at evens.

Bairstow heads the London Spirit top batter market at 3/1, ahead of Livingstone at 10/3, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and James Rew both 4/1. The big hitting Brevis will have his backers at 11/2, while £390k man Coles is priced at 11/1.

For Manchester Super Giants, Buttler is the 3/1 favourite, followed by Markram at 10/3, with Tim Seifert, Max Holden and Klaasen all 7/2.

(Pick Your Punt) Jos Buttler to hit 3+ fours and 1+ sixes @ 5/2 

Buttler is an understandable favourite after his fireworks against India and his position at the top of the order, but 3/1 is short enough given the batting talent the Super Giants possess. Instead, we’ll head to the Pick Your Punt markets and back the England man to hit 3+ fours and 1+ sixes. He could do this in one set of five on his form from that ODI.