England's quest to level the series against the Manchester Jinx  

Betting Odds 

Our Predictions 

• Joe Root has odds of 3.97 to be England's best batsman in this Test Match   
• Steven Smith has odds of 4.14 to be the best batsman for Australia in this Test Match   
• Mark Wood has odds of 4.31 to be the best bowler for England   
• Pat Cummins has odds of 2.95 to be Australia's best bowler   

MATCH PREVIEW     

England has kept its hopes alive in The Ashes with their 3-wicket win in the third game at Headingley. It was a good fightback from the English bowlers, who used the conditions well. The hosts still stare at their first Ashes series defeat at home since 2001 heading into this game. The Manchester jinx follows them, as England hasn't defeated Australia at Old Trafford since 1981! The Aussies will look to build upon their excellent record at this venue and grab the series. With the stakes high for the English side, we expect a close contest to test the nerves in both camps.  

England Preview      

Ben Stokes' side kept away their Bazball instincts away and played more of conventional Test cricket at Headingley, and it paid off. For the first time in the series, their bowlers dominated the Aussies, and they managed to level the series. Here, they will have to fight against history. None of the players in this game were born the last time England defeated Australia at Manchester! Stokes likes leading from the front and he will look for a determined performance from his players.   

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley have done relatively well in the series, and the side will look for a good show from them at the top. Joe Root is the key batter for the team, and he will look to do well in the middle order alongside Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow. England's depth in batting paid dividends in the last game, and they will look for runs from Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Chris Woakes in this game.   

James Anderson returns to the side and will look to trouble the Aussie batsmen along with Stuart Broad. The experienced duo would look to make early inroads as Warner looks in awful form. Mark Wood would like to continue his exploits from the last game and put the opponents under pressure with Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes. Stokes and Root add to England's bowling options.  

Expected Starting XI for England     

Ben Stokes (c), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Joe Root, James Anderson, Mark Wood 

Australia Preview     

Pat Cummins and his men can't take the English side lightly, as we saw a bit of complacency from the side in the last game. Some of their shot selection in the last game was unwanted, and they paid a heavy price. As they stand on the brink of history with the first Ashes win on English soil in 20 years up for grabs, Cummins would like to push his men. They have an excellent record at this venue and shall look to build on that.  

David Warner might get a game again despite his terrible form, and he must see the new ball off with Usman Khawaja, who has done well. Marnus Labuschagne isn't converting his starts, and he must do well in the middle order with Steven Smith and Travis Head to put the English side under pressure. Mitchell Marsh will be confident after his hundred in the last game, and he adds strength to the lower middle order with Alex Carey and Cummins.  

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc need to inflict early wounds on the English batting line-up, and they will enjoy bowling at this venue with extra bounce and pace on offer. Josh Hazlewood's return will strengthen the side in this game, and he needs to do well with Marsh. Todd Murphy must do well in this game, as English players would go after him in this game.  

Expected Starting XI for Australia     

Pat Cummins (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

The overcast conditions will make batting conditions challenging. Bowlers will enjoy bowling here because there is extra pace and bounce. The captain who wins the toss will try to take advantage of these conditions by asking the opponent to bat first on this surface. 

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

Rain may play spoilsport in this game as there is a forecast for cloudy skies and rain during the game. Fast bowlers will enjoy bowling under the heavy skies as they can get the ball to move. Batters must be watchful and choose their strokes. The side batting first would be happy to have 350-400 runs on the board.   

OUR PREDICTION      

England made a strong comeback in the last game. However, the side has a poor record at this venue against Australia, and it may play on the players' minds. The Australians have a strong bowling attack, and the conditions will suit them at this venue. We expect a close game here, but the Aussies would have a slight edge according to cricket betting sites.  

Our Prediction is for Australia to win