Australia vs England 5th Test predictions and betting tips – England to end tour on a positive

Jan 2, 2026 - 15:30

Australia and England will bring the curtain down on what has been an intriguing, and at times, farcical, Ashes series when they meet at the iconic SCG for the 5th Test this weekend.

The Aussies already hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, but they will be looking to bounce back after losing the 4th Test in Melbourne. England will look to continue their momentum with back-to-back wins to close out the series.

England to win 5th Test – 2/1 with Midnite
Marnus Labuschagne under 29.5 runs in 1st innings – 5/6 with Betfred
Josh Tongue over 4.5 wickets in match – 11/10 with bet365

Australia vs England odds

Find the latest Australia vs England betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended bookmakers and are subject to change.

Australia – 4/6 with bet365
Draw – 11/2 with Betfred
England – 2/1 with Midnite

Australia vs England 5th Test predictions

The 4th Test in Melbourne saw England again struggle, but somehow fight back to clinch a 4-wicket win and bring to an end an 18-match winless run in Australia.

It was a shambolic Test match that pretty much summed up England’s series as a whole. Like Perth, it was over in two days, but this was more down to the state of the MCG wicket, than the way the English batted.

Australia played their part. The hosts produced an England-style batting performance in their 1st innings, perhaps recognising that the wicket wasn’t one to be playing for time on. Then in their 2nd innings, they collapsed from 82/4 to 132 all out in an effort that lasted just under 35 overs.

The hosts will say farewell to Usman Khawaja at Sydney, with the 39-year-old announcing that this will be his final match in international cricket.

They will also be without their injured bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, which again opens the door to an England victory.

As for England, they also have injury problems of their own. English quick bowlers have been dropping like flies in Australia, with three now out injured.

Mark Wood was the first to go after the 1st Test. He was followed by Jofra Archer after the 3rd Test, and now Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the final match in Sydney.

Atkinson’s place is likely to go to Matthew Potts. But England have named Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad, and with the SCG more likely to be spin friendly, the unused spinner may have a chance of playing in the final match.

Will Jacks has been poor with the ball, but he has shown a bit of fight with the bat and should retain his place. Picking Bashir at this stage of the tour would represent a risk, and it could be that England’s only change will be Potts for Atkinson.

In the batting, Jacob Bethell is likely to remain at No.3, despite calls for him to be dropped down the order as he seeks to establish himself in the team.

Australia vs England 5th Test betting tips

England snapped an 18-match winless run with their four-wicket win in the Boxing Day Test.

They have a great chance to pick up another win when the teams play the fifth and final Test of the series at the iconic SCG. Our Australia vs England 5th Test betting tips follow:

England to go back-to-back

We’ve called the winner of all four Test matches so far and are now looking for a clean sweep in Sydney.

As was the case in Melbourne, there appears to be little value in backing the hosts at odds-on. Australia seemed to lack intensity in the fourth Test, and it’s difficult to see them raising their level again at the SCG.

With the series already decided, that drop-off appeared to be reflected in their performance at the MCG. They also remain without Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon for the series finale in Sydney.

England still have plenty to play for. There are still careers on the line. They got the monkey off their back with a four-wicket win at the MCG, and now have the opportunity to finish the series on a real high by winning the final Test.

Bet on England to win the 5th Test at 2/1 with Midnite

Marnus struggles to continue

Marnus Labuschagne is under pressure. Head coach Andrew McDonald recently stated that Australia’s No.3 needs to play with greater intent and be busier at the crease.

After only forcing his way back into the team for the start of the series, Labuschagne could potentially be playing for his career again at the SCG.

However, the omens don’t look good. After a couple of half centuries in the opening two Tests, Labushagne’s last four scores were 19, 13, 6 and 8.

Overall, Labuschagne is averaging just 24.85 in this series, with a strike rate of 58.78. He is becoming a headache for the team and selectors.

Furthermore, England’s in-form Josh Tongue appears to have his number, having picked up his wicket three times in the last two Tests.

Back Marnus Labuschagne under 29.5 runs in 1st innings at 5/6 with Betfred

Tongue to build on positive start

Josh Tongue picked up five wickets for England in his first match of the series in Adelaide. This included an impressive 4/70 in Australia’s second innings.

The wicket at the MCG is more likely to suit the bowlers, and with Tongue now having a game under his belt, he may well turn in an even better performance in Melbourne.

There are doubts about Brydon Carse keeping his place, and Jofra Archer may well be rested for this match. Tongue looks the best value bet to be the top England bowler in the match.

Back Josh Tongue over 4.5 wickets in match at 11/10 with bet365

Australia vs England 5th Test predicted lineups

Australia expected lineup: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (Captain), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green/Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, Scott Boland, Todd Murphy.
England expected lineup: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (Captain), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts/Shoaib Bashir, Josh Tongue.

How to watch Australia vs England 5th Test

Location: SCG, Sydney, Australia.
Time: 11.30pm on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026
Where to watch: Live on TNT Sports 1.

About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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