Englands vs Australia betting predictions, 1st Ashes Test 2019 preview & tips

England have been installed favourites in betting to win the opening Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston, beginning on Thursday.

With the home team boasting a formidable record against Australia at Edgbaston, having not dropped a Test there since 2001, the Aussies will have their work cut out not to head to Lords 1-0 down.

England have been priced at $1.91 to win the match, with Australia installed at $2.50 and the draw paying $7.50.

Having said this there is growing optimism among Australian fans that a fit-again James Pattinson and returning batting stars David Warner and Steve Smith can pilot their team to an unlikely Ashes series victory.

Despite damning lead-up form from the Aussies batsmen in the Australia vs Australia A trial match played last week, there is enough experience in the line-up to trouble England, who have their own issues.

England played their own warm-up Test match against Ireland and only just escaped with the points, after being dismissed for less than 100 in their first innings by the pedestrian Irish attack.

Just how important the opening Test of an Ashes series can be is evident by the fact that the last time Australia won in England was in 2001, when, you guessed it, the baggy greens won the opening match of the series.

Below we will preview the betting and give you our free predictions and best bets for the opening Ashes Test between England and Australia. Read our top Ashes series batsmen tips to find out who we think will dominate the series runs.

England vs Australia odds

The best cricket betting sites have had odds out for the Ashes for months, with these generally focusing on the overall winner of the series. If you want to read further information about series betting, read our Ashes betting guide which focuses more on the big picture, rather than the first Test.

Australia vs England match odds:

Australia: $2.50
England: $1.97
Draw: $6.50

Man of the match odds

Joe Root $7.50
David Warner, Steve Smith $8.00
Ben Stokes, Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins $9.00
Jason Roy $10.00
Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow $13.00

England vs Australia 1st Test best bets:

This section will highlight the best bet tips ahead of the opening England vs Australia Test match, while below we will give our final match prediction.

James Pattinson for man of the match

The Aussie quick has been waiting for years for this moment — another Ashes Test in England. The gun seamer has in fact been waiting in the wings since his last Test start in February 2016 as injuries hit. Now Pattinson is fit again, has been eyeing the Ashes for 18 months, is in top form with the red ball courtesy of his spell in English County Cricket. Most importantly he is paying $13.00 for man-of-the-match honours. While Australia will be coy about Pattinson playing at Edgbaston, we believe there is nothing surer than him playing and we think he might be able to put one over England in conditions that are expected to suit him.

Match to end in a draw – weather pending

The weather forecast for Edgbaston is not promising, with rain expected to tumble on Thursday and much of the weekend. While there are still a few days for things to change in the forecast, it will be worth your while keeping an eye on the expected weather in the lead-up and having a little something on the draw, which is paying $6.60 with WilliamHill.com. One thing to keep in mind is that both teams struggled to bat for long periods of time against the Duke’s ball in the lead-up matches.

England vs Australia first Test prediction

While like pretty much any Test in England the weather is a chance of being a factor, we predict Australia can cause an upset in this match as the underdogs. The Aussies are paying a juicy 2.50 with some cricket betting sites and we think their bowling attack looks to have a bit more edge than the English outfit, which did impress in the second innings against Ireland, dismissing them for 38. If Australia win, it will set up the second Test, to be played at Lords, as an absolute cracker.

Relevant news