England v Australia opening Ashes Test odds highlight slim chance of home win

The rugby league Ashes start this Saturday from Wembley and hosts England have a mountain to climb to beat Australia according to the odds.

That’s perhaps not a surprise given the fact that Australia are the world champions, winning the last Rugby League World Cup that was played in England.

As such, any arguments about Australia being unable to play in English conditions can be put to one side though there is a belief that England’s best chance is to try and catch the Kangaroos ‘cold’.

Whilst Australia have certainly had enough time in the country to acclimatise and get over any jet lag, the belief remains that they will only strengthen throughout the series.

With four debutants named for the first Test, including star full-back Reece Walsh, it could take time before Australia are at their dominant best, whereas England have had a number of players in camp for far longer.

Despite that, England’s chance of winning the first Test have been rated low by the bookmakers with odds now confirmed.

England made heavy underdogs for Ashes opener

England are priced at 16/5 by shirt sponsors Betfred whilst Sky Bet favour Shaun Wane’s side even less, making them a 4/1 chance.

The Australians are priced 1/4 and 1/6 respectively with those firms with the handicap line set at 14 and 13 points with each bookmaker.

Australia to win by 14 points or more is only even money with Betfred, meaning a £10 bet would return just £10 profit, and the initial stake.

Perhaps more interesting are the odds for who will score the tries with Sky Bet pricing that market up and leaning heavily in favour of the Australians with their back five all prominent in the market.

Wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Mark Nawaqanitawase are both priced below evens at 8/11 and 4/6 respectively whilst NRL Grand Final hero Reece Walsh is an even money bet.

In contrast, England’s wingers Dom Young and Joe Burgess are priced 13/8 and 9/4, despite the fact that Burgess has not been named to the 19-man squad and Tom Johnstone, unpriced, will actually start.

England will take on Australia at Wembley on Saturday with kick-off slated for 2:30 pm, the first time the sides have met since 2017 and the first rugby league Ashes Test since 2003.

All odds correct at the time of writing.

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