Whitewash almost odds-on

But for a series of dropped catches, Pakistan might have pushed England harder than they did at Edgbaston last weekend but the home side were still far too strong in the end and at 2-0 up with two Tests to play, they will be fully focused on maintaining their momentum and completing a whitewash.

Click here to bet on England v Pakistan at bet365

Bet365 now make England 5/4 to win both remaining games and come away with a 4-0 win and considering that they never really hit full stride with the bat at Edgbaston, they will fancy their chances of finishing the job by winning at the Oval, starting on August 18 and then at Lord's in early September.

The problem for Pakistan is that their batting is so unreliable they can rarely get a foothold in a Test. Beating Australia last month showed that when they do get a few runs on the board, they are difficult to beat through the strength of their bowling, but that is not enough against a more consistent side like England, especially on home soil.

Mohammad Yousuf should come into the side after arriving too late for the second Test and his presence should sure up the middle order, though he is still bound to be rusty. The usually sound pitch at the Oval is a nice place for him to start, though, and he should be significantly better than what's gone before.

The injury to Umar Gul means another bowler will have to be called into the side, but that's not too much of a problem.

James Anderson has shown exactly how deadly he is when conditions suit, while Stuart Broad - with the exception of the odd tantrum - is bowling well and new boy Steve Finn looks a welcome addition to a bowling attack that is balanced nicely by Graeme Swann, who once more showed just how crucial he is with a career-best six-wicket haul in the second innings at Edgbaston. The Oval and Lord's should be even more responsive to him.

Alastair Cook is the only batsman really under threat for England - Kevin Pietersen's 80 in the first innings at Edgbaston settled rumours he could be replaced - but he averages 44 at the Oval and 53 at Lord's so can be expected to find form before too long.

Bet365 go 2/1 that the series ends 3-0 in England's favour - a price that is probably based on the traditional batting paradise of the Oval - while it's 11/2 that they win 2-1, 11/1 that it's just 2/1 and 12/1 that the last two matches are drawn. It's 28/1 that Pakstan somehow win the final two Tests.

Original preview
Pakistan go into their four-match series with England on a rare high after their first Test win over Australia in 15 years but beating England over four Tests on their own turf is going to be something even more difficult for them to achieve.

England will have enjoyed seeing the Australians squirm in defeat at Headingley, mindful of the Ashes winter Down Under to come, but they will also have seen enough from the Pakistan bowling attack to know that if they are not on their game, then they could come unstuck over the next month or so.

Mohammad Aamer was a revelation in the series against Australia and the teenager is part of a young attack that really could prosper in the coming years. For now, they remain raw, if hugely talented, and England should be well capable of coming out on top over four matches, the first of which begins at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Bet365 make England 4/9 to win the series and quite frankly that's not a bad price. England have won six out of their past eight home series (and 10 out of 13) and beat Pakistan easily, 3-0, last time round. The tourists look more settled now Salman Butt is in charge and their young team are keen, but it would still be a big surprise should they conjure a win. Bet365 go 4/1 on them winning the series and 9/2 that it ends in a draw.

England have been playing some fnie cricket lately and more importantly, seem to have rediscovered the winning habit, something they will need in Australia. Beating Pakistan will not be easy but their batting is far superior to their opponents and providing they can see off the quick bowlers, they should have things mostly their own way.

In 2006, England won 3-0 and the same scoreline is the favourite in the correct score markets, with bet365 making them 9/2 to record the same margin of victory. A 2-0 win and a 2-1 win are both 11/2, while a whitewash is only a 17/2 chance, with 3-1 on offer at 9/1 and a 1-0 win the long shot at 14/1.

It is asking an awful lot, and I think too much, for Pakistan to win the series, but if you think they can then there are some generous prices in the correct score markets. A 2-1 win is the shortest price at 12/1, but 2-0 is 20/1, 3-1 is 28/1 and both 1-0 and 3-0 are 33/1. The whitewash is 100/1.

Pakistan's best chance will be to get the better of the conditions and to have the tosses fall their way but I think it's a long shot and 4/9 for an England series win is not a bad price when you really think about it. Only India and South Africa have got the better of them since the 2001 Ashes series and this group of England players are probably at their collective peak.

Cambers' Call
England to win the Test series against Pakistan - 4/9 bet365

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.