The experts deliver their tips

Ian Botham
You would be a very brave man at this stage to back against England. The 5-1 odds the bookmakers are offering are ridiculous in a two-horse race

Richie Benaud
If the England pace-bowling attack stays fit and bowls well, there is a good chance England will retain the Ashes

Nasser Hussain
I said 2-1 to Australia last time, so I'll say 2-1 again and hope I'm wrong

Ian Chappell
If Harmison doesn't fire, if Flintoff gets injured, England will be in big trouble

Mike Atherton
I'm no Nostradamus whatsoever. It could be 5-0 either way!

Ian Healy
3-1. The draw will be tight - hopefully there will be one or two tight last days that stop the nation. A lot is being asked of England's bowlers and they might have trouble staying on the park, unlike in the last series

Andrew Flintoff
I'm not keen on making predictions, but we have a good chance. We'll have to play better than when we were there last time

Glenn McGrath
I reckon it will be 5-0. To say anything else would be negative. If we're going to win 2-1, or 3-2, which games are we going to lose?

Vic Marks
I'll have to be pessimistic and say 3-1 to Australia, but it all depends on the first Test

Andy Bichel
There are a lot of factors but if England don't have four quality bowlers it could be 3-1 or 4-1.

Jimmy Maher
4-0 to Australia and the reason it's not 5-0 is because the weather will intervene somewhere.

In brief

Michael Slater Australia 3-1

Neil Harvey Australia 4-1

Rodney Hogg Australia 5-0

Terry Jenner Australia 3-1

Simon O'Donnell Australia 3-1

Ian Redpath Australia 2-1

Paul Reiffel Australia 3-2