Australia and England begin their ICC Champions Trophy campaigns at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday. Early cricket odds favour Australia to get the better of England, with the latter suffering three heavy defeats away to India in their warm-up matches for this tournament.

Check out our ICC Champions Trophy tournament preview here!

Australia’s white-ball form isn’t much better. They have lost their last four 50-over matches, including consecutive defeats to Sri Lanka before this competition. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh are injured. Mitchell Starc has pulled out of the tournament, citing personal reasons, and Marcus Stoinis recently retired from 50-over cricket.

England are without Jacob Bethell due to a hamstring injury, with Tom Banton called up as a replacement. Ben Duckett has been declared fit after suffering with a leg injury in the third ODI against India.

Despite their fast-bowling absentees, Australia still have some accomplished options in Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Sean Abbott. Adam Zampa also projects to be very effective in Pakistani conditions.

England struggled in all disciplines in India. Their pace bowling attack was too easy to dominate, and their batters lacked the technique to cope with India’s array of spinners.

The team batting first has won seven of the last eight matches between cricket’s oldest rivals.

Here are some of our best bets for Saturday’s showdown in Lahore:

Steve Smith to be Australia’s Top Scorer – 23/10

It’s never nice for England fans to hear Steve Smith is in form. Captaining Australia in the Champions Trophy, Smith has regained his touch with five centuries across his last nine matches in all formats. He scored tons in both Tests against Sri Lanka, following a highly productive Border-Gavaskar series and a scintillating 121 not out in the Big Bash.

Smith has a slightly higher batting average when he’s captain in ODIs. His 48.60 average in tournament cricket is also markedly higher than his mark in bilateral series.

With time to build an innings, don’t be surprised to see Smith take control of this match with another impressive knock against England. It will have a huge impact on live betting markets if England dismiss him early.

Adil Rashid to be England’s Top Bowler – 11/5

Adil Rashid has three four-wicket hauls against Australia in ODIs. He averages 28 with the ball in Asia and just took four wickets in the third ODI against India.

This Lahore surface is going to assist Rashid. We’ve seen plenty of Australians struggle to pick him in the past, and he could suffocate their batting lineup in the middle overs.

This bet is always at threat from quicks taking easy wickets in the powerplay and death overs. Rashid has to work harder for his scalps, but he’s more than capable of taking 2+ wickets and finishing with the standout figures once again.

England to hit the most sixes – Evens

Even if you think England are going to have a torrid Champions Trophy, similar to their World Cup woes just over a year ago, they’re always a good bet to hit the most sixes.

Brendon McCullum’s team are going to respond to adversity by being more aggressive. From Phil Salt, Harry Brook, and Jos Buttler to Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, and Brydon Carse, England are packed with six hitters.

Australia have powerful ball strikers, but England’s batters are more likely to swing big to clear the rope throughout their 50 overs.