England vs. India: Start Time, Form Guide and Predictions for Final ODI

As the opening batsmen walk out to the crease at the famous Headingley cricket ground on Friday morning, pessimism will permeate the Leeds air. India have already claimed the five-game ODI series 3-0 with just one to play, and as the commentary team settle into their positions for a 10:30 a.m. BST start, the visitors will expect to take the final game.

For England's cricketers, there is slightly more than pride to play for, with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand coming in February and March of 2015. Selections are not guaranteed and even England captain Alastair Cook's position is far from secure. So, it's all to play for in this final ODI.

Final ODI Basics

Teams: England vs. India

Date: September 5

Time: 10:30 a.m. BST

Where: Headlingley Stadium, Leeds

TV: Sky Sports 2 (from 10 a.m. BST)

Form

The statistics for the previous games in this ODI series make for some grim reading if you are a fan of the England cricket team. The results, for starters, have been comprehensive. At Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, India won by 133 runs on the D/L method, before promptly taking the next game by six wickets—with 43 balls remaining—at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham, just three days later.

It was at Edgbaston in Birmingham, however, where the real damage was done. England were utterly abject and India sublime, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side romped to a nine-wicket victory with 117 balls to spare. It was only a late wicket from Harry Gurney—caught by the England captain, Cook—that saved the home side the embarrassment of suffering their first ever 10-wicket defeat on home soil.

Ajinkya Rahane's terrific century—eventually coming to a close at 106—put the finishing touches on a crushing performance by India's cricketers. The India captain Dhoni seemed to be impressed, at least, with his side's improving performances: "The good thing is, we have kept improving from the first ODI on," he said.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

It seems strange to say that India are only 3-0 up in the series after four games being completed, but it is merely the Great British weather that can claim to stopping the whitewash, after the first game in Bristol had to be called off because of torrential rain and a waterlogged pitch.

It's not all doom and gloom for England, however, as at least one of their cricketers has given fans some positives. After sitting on the sidelines for the first two games, Moeen Ali came out and scored a solid 61 at Edgbaston, despite being the subject of boos from the crowds in Birmingham.

Ali told the assembled press—including David Hopps of ESPN Cricinfo—in his pre-match conference at Headingley: "It's fine, it just goes straight over my head. I think it's maybe because my background is from Pakistan but it doesn't bother me". Clearly Ali has the patience, the talent and the cool to become one of England's first names on the team-sheet.

Prediction

It is hard to see anything than another comprehensive victory from the Indians, but with a lot on the line, the need to restore some pride in the dressing room and the team eager to give their fans something to cheer about on what is expected to be a warm day in Headingley, surprises can happen.

Expect England to go at it with gusto but, sadly for their fans, fall short. Wholesale change is needed—and fast.

All statistics per ESPNcricinfo unless otherwise noted