Odds against England

Hussain has it all to do to wrest away the Ashes

With England due to fly to Australia on Thursday, BBC Sport Online asks a number of cricket figures for their predictions for the Ashes series.

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Keith Fletcher: Former England batsman and coach

Australia are the favourites and England will have to play at their absolute best to have a chance.

We have to keep the key people fit, particularly the bowlers like Andy Caddick and Darren Gough, and hope that the luck goes with us.

Fletcher toured Australia as both player and coach

Things like the tosses have got to go in our favour; over the course of a series if you can win three out of five then that gives you a great advantage.

We will have to play above ourselves to a certain extent and Australia have to play averagely if we are to win

Prediction: Australia 3 England 1

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Phil Tufnell: Former England spinner

It's going to be tough and England are going to have to get a good start but obviously, in a two-horse race, they can win it.

I think Australia are coming off it a little bit and they're not quite as good a side as they think they are but they still have world class players.

I've played in plenty of games where we weren't supposed to win and did, so why not?

Prediction: England 2 Australia 1

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David Fulton: Kent captain

It's going to be tough and although I wouldn't bet on England winning, I wouldn't necessarily bet against them.

I'll be interested to see how Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick get on as we need them to make the big scores.

The worry is about bowling them out. Although the likes of Jones may emerge during the series there is a difference between emerging and ripping through.

You can get Australia three or four down quite quickly but then the guys you don't knock over go and score a hundred.

Prediction: Australia 3 England 2

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John Bracewell: Former New Zealand spinner, now coach of Gloucestershire

Australia have definitely got the jump on England, with the way the build-up games have been organised.

Bracewell: All over by Christmas

They go from Perth to the first Test at the Gabba where all the bowlers will suddenly have to alter their lengths, which will be difficult.

Because the Australians will be a lot more hardened and ready after the Pakistan series I think they'll win the first three Tests and the series will be over by Christmas.

Prediction: Australia 4 England 1

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Martin Bicknell: Surrey bowler and former England tourist

If England play any less than their best then they will get hammered.

Performances have improved over the last couple of years and England have added some steel to their batting.

However, Darren Gough is not fit, Andy Caddick requires more bowling and Matthew Hoggard can be a little frail, so we're light in that department.

Jones and Harmison have some pace but they'll be playing on good pitches against batsmen used to that type of bowling.

Prediction: Australia 3 England 1

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Chris Broad: Former England opener.

England have a competitive side but realistically their chances of success are limited.

Their a better side than they were 18 months ago when they last played the Australians but whether they'll beat them this time is another matter.

They'll need a lot of luck to go their way, in terms of decisions on the field and injuries, so it's not impossible but unlikely.

Prediction: Australia 3 England 1

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Phil DeFreitas: former England fast bowler.

My personal view is that if we play to our potential then we can do it.

DeFreitas was a successful tourist for England

We've got quality batting and we've got pace although a lot depends on Darren Gough's fitness.

I'm happy about the young fast bowlers being there and if they bowl as well as they can do there's no reason why we can't win.

We've got a great chance of winning at Brisbane and Melbourne although I think Adelaide and Perth could be draws, with Australia winning on a turner at Sydney.

Prediction: England 2 Australia 1