Despite the injuries, Martin Johnson’s England could still be worth a punt (6-4 with Boylesports) in Saturday’s autumn Test match against Australia at Twickenham.

Australia – despite six defeats from their last seven matches, against admittedly tough opposition – are 8-13 on with Ladbrokes, while the draw is 25-1 on Betfair (22-1 Paddy Power). Incidentally, England have not been involved in a drawn international this century – although there has been one draw between the teams. In 36 matches between the sides, Australia have won 21, England 14 – with England shading it seven wins to five in the New Millennium (and by four wins to two at Twickenham in the same period).

Johnson will be without 11 of his original 32-man squad due to injury, including the likes of Phil Vickery, Andrew Sheridan, Julian White, Toby Flood and last season’s player of the year, Delon Armitage. A total of 27 possible elite and Saxon squad players are unavailable due to injury.

But with the in-form Jonny Wilkinson back after 18 months in the international wilderness, there will be hopes he can repeat his World Cup-winning feats of six years ago. Fellow World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody also return to the XV as England go with a blend of youth and experience – and hopefully improved discipline, with yellow cards plaguing the side during Johnson’s tenure. With Wilkinson ability with the boot, an England penalty being the first score is a decent chance at 31-21 on Betfair.

In recent years England have been hit-and-miss in their first November international match of the year – although they won in 2008, seeing off Pacific Islanders 39-13, they lost 41-20 to New Zealand in 2006. They have won five of their 11 games under the current coach, although only the Six Nations victory over France in March could be touted as quality opposition.

Australia’s last Test win was 21-6 against the Springboks in September, and coach Robbie Deans will be under pressure to deliver after his side finished bottom of the Tri-Nations – they also went down 32-19 to the All Blacks last week. Last time out in 2008 they won this fixture 28-14 – although England field only four survivors in the XV from that match.

The home side will come out to prove a point and driven on by a full house, England to be leading at half-time, and Australia to come through to win at full-time is on offer at 5-1 with Betfair.

First try could come around the 21-30 mark – Betfair are offering 5-2, while a repeat from last year’s clash – Nick Easter scored the first try in the 36th minute – will yield 7-2 (31-40 minutes) with the same firm.

It could be tight with the tourists prevailing – Australia to win by 1-12 points is 7-5 with Betfair, while a repeat of last year’s 14-point success is 35-19 (Betfair).