Beat the Bookie.

A selective look at the sports bets on offer this weekend:

After a couple of meaningless tests against Bangladesh, a host of one-day internationals and then yet more one-day matches ( the much-anticipated Ashes series is finally on the horizon.

On Thursday, England and Australia will commence battle at Lords in the most eagerly-awaited Test series for many a year.

The best in the world against the second best team ( it should be a cracking series. Behind the hype, the big question is can England finally beat the Aussies after enduring so many defeats?

If the hosts' chances were not great to start with, three vital Australian players in Ponting, Gilchrest and Fleming look to have played themselves into form at the crucial moment. Meanwhile, our frontline Test bowlers have suffered two heavy losses ( hardly great for the confidence of the team.

Yet for all the heavy defeats inflicted by the tourists in past Ashes series, this should not be the standard 3-1 or 4-1 thrashing. First under Nasser Hussain and then Michael Vaughan, England have been transformed into a quality Test outfit. Australia have continued their World domination, but their ageing players' fitness will be tested to the limit. That said, the bookies are in no doubt who they believe will win the Ashes.

Australia are the clear odds-on favourites with a best price 4-9 with Stan James, while England are quoted at a best 3-1 with Ladbrokes. Neither quote makes much appeal and neither does the 6-1 for the outright draw. Given how both teams enjoy playing fast aggressive cricket and the anticipated good weather, four or five positive results seem likely.

On the assumption we expect England to continue their fine work from the past few years, winning more than the standard one Test is not an unrealistic proposition. This brings three possible series correct score results into play, namely 3-2 (Australia 16-1), 2-2 (draw 8-1), and England 3-2 (22-1).

The advice is to consider both of the longer prices but the 2-2 draw at 8-1 looks to be the best of the lot.

Tomorrow, Newcastle United start their attempt to qualify for the Uefa Cup via the Intertoto Cup with a trip to Slovakia to face an unknown quantity in FT ZKS Dubnica.

The bookies are certainly taking no chances on a United win, with the best price available being 8-11 at Sportingodds. Punters wishing to have a bet on United may be better off taking the 7-4 with the same firm for the away side to be winning both at half-time and full-time.

Fixed odds bet of the weekend

England-Australia to draw the Ashes series 2-2 at 8-1 (Coral)