Australia v England betting tips & prediction for Boxing Day Test
Australia might have an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Ashes, but Boxing Day is set to throw up various opportunities for punters, particularly with the home team rocked by injury dramas.
The Aussies have been forced to re-jig their bowling attack with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon injuring his hamstring in the victory in Adelaide, while captain Pat Cummins, on the comeback trail from a back injury, is likely to be rested.
Paceman Jhye Richardson and spinner Todd Murphy have both been included, with Michael Nesar and Brendan Doggett the other bowlers in contention to partner Mitchell Starc.
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Skipper for the opening two Test victories, Steve Smith, will also be recalled after missing Adelaide with vertigo while Scott Boland is in no doubt despite a rumoured hip injury.
England is likely to make several changes with opener Ben Duckett proven to not be up to Australian conditions, while patience must be growing thin with Harry Brook, who continually throws his wicket away at inopportune moments.
Ben Stokes’ team will also consider switching up their bowling attack, with Jofra Archer probably the only one to live up to expectations, and even he has not been as dangerous as 2019 when he terrorised the Aussies in England.
England will also consider recalling off-spinner Shoaib Bashir to the line-up with Will Jacks not offering much with the ball, despite showing more grit with the willow than more of his fancied teammates.
Below we will give you our free Australia v England betting tips for the fourth Ashes Test beginning on December 26 at the MCG, Victoria, Australia.
Aus v ENG tips
Our cricket expert has cast his eye over the odds and found some value Australia v England betting tips:
Cam Green to top-score in either innings
The big west Australian will not be happy with his Ashes to date, but he undoubtedly has the technique and mental fortitude to make a massive impression at Test level. We think Green might enjoy the pressure being off and open the shoulders, ditching the tentative approach he has toyed with this series. Green is paying 7.75 to top score in the Aussie first innings.
Zak Crawley to top score – England first innings
Crawley has not been the worst Englishman in a terrible series for his team, with his 85 in the second innings showing he cares. The Aussie bowling attack will be weakened in Melbourne without Lyon and Cummins and it should be easier to score – although Boland has a mortgage on wickets at the MCG. He is paying 6.50 to top score in England’s first knock.
Steve Smith man of the match
How many more Boxing Days will we see Steve Smith play? Could it be the last time? Either way, Smith will captain Australia and tends to thrive in the hot seat on the biggest stage. Wouldn’t it be very Smith to crunch a ton on day one? Smith is 9.75 to win man of the match honours on Boxing Day.
Scott Boland most wickets in England 1st innings
Boland famously destroyed England at the MCG a few years back, and a repeat performance here would not surprise. He is also paying 3.05 for most wickets in England’s first dig.
Australia v England Boxing Day prediction
How you could predict England to win in this match we’re not sure. Australian media has gone to town in the last week, following the series being decided in just 11 days. Footage has now emerged of what appears to be struggling opener Duckett highly intoxicated just prior to Adelaide. Basically, England’s tour has fallen apart and changes seem inevitable. Australia will be keen to put on a show for the sold out Boxing Day crowd, and with several of their veterans potentially playing their last match at the MCG, we’re confident the Aussies make it 4-0 after Melbourne. Our final Australia v England Boxing Day prediction? Australia by eight wickets.
