British & Irish Lions vs Australia: Third Test tips and predictions

The British & Irish Lions may have already wrapped up the series win against Australia after winning the second test 29-26 with a cracking Melbourne comeback.

But with a 2-0 lead in a three-match series, can the Lions wrap up a first whitewash victory tour in nearly a century? We’ll find out on Saturday (11:00 GMT kick off) when the action gets underway at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

British & Irish Lions state of play

Finding themselves 5-23 down following a stunning start by Australia, the writing appeared to be on the wall for the Lions in the second test in front of a passionate 90,000 crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Slowly but surely, the tourists managed to get a grip on the game, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell’s combination at half-back crucial to their resurrection.

Tom Curry, Huw Jones and Tadhg Beirne all crossed the line to reduce the deficit, before a frantic ending brought ultimate glory for the Lions – Hugo Keenan touching down in the last minute of the game to complete a masterful comeback win.

Australia state of play

Joy for the Lions; despair for Australia, who had dominated large periods of the second test.

They came out of the blocks with ferocious intent, with James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright crossing over and Tom Lynagh providing some accurate penalty kicking.

The Wallabies were unable to prevent the Lion’s onslaught that ultimately saw them win the game, however.

Key talking point: Plenty to play for in Sydney

Although the Lions whitewashed Argentina back in 1927, they have never won every game of a series against Australia or New Zealand.

So Andy Farrell’s men stand on the precipice of history… any notion that this third test in Sydney will be a dead rubber can easily be rejected.

And the Australians, a proud a bunch as you will ever likely meet, will not want to be on the receiving end of a historic whitewash defeat.

FIRST's top tip

Australia +8.5 point handicap (17/20, Betway)

After half-an-hour of the second test, had you been told that you could back Australia for the third test with a +8.5 point handicap line at a near even money price, you’d have laughed.

Such was the dominance of the Wallabies in that opening period that they looked by far the better of the two teams. And while the Lions rallied, this handicap line still scored with ease.

Australia, with the returning Rob Valetini, Will Skelton and Dave Porecki, have added steel and class at both ends of the pitch, so there’s no reason not to expect another close-fought game in Sydney.

Also worth considering

Either team wins by seven points or fewer (7/5, BetMGM)

There’s plenty on the line for both teams in the third test. Pride can have a remarkable motivating effect in a game that would otherwise be a dead rubber.

As such, it’s difficult to see either side running away with the win in Sydney, with the signs in the second test suggesting these are two very closely-matched teams following the debacle of the first test.

The nature of this betting line allows either team to prevail by a converted try and our wager will still land, so that feels like a value play at odds of 7/5 in a contest that may well be decided by a single score.

It was a selection put up at 7/4 for the second test which prevailed, but this price still offers value given the context of the match.

Extra tips

Highest Scoring Half – Second (4/5, BetMGM)

There are no guarantees of this, of course, but a pattern of play could emerge in which the first half is a cagey affair before the second explodes into life.

It has been a tough set of games on these players so far, with both coaches unlikely to want to change things too much for this third test. Tired legs may be replaced in the second period, with those coming in offering fresh energy and forward drive.

And with plenty at stake, that could lend itself to a frantic finish.

British & Irish Lions to win by 1-7 points (5/2, Betway)

Ultimately, the Lions have been able to deal with whatever the Wallabies have thrown at them in this series so far.

They completely outplayed their hosts in the first test, before just about handling the Aussies’ resurgence in the second – the last 50 minutes saw them prevail by a margin of 24-3.

It’s anticipated that Australia will once again cause the Lions headaches in Sydney, but in both games so far the visitors have taken the blows before coming back stronger.

The ace in the pack for Andy Farrell may well be his excellent bench of replacements. He has a deeper well of talent to call upon in the second half of the game than his counterpart, which after a gruelling tour will likely come in very handy.

We can back the Aussies with a +8.5 handicap line and the Lions to win by 1-7 and, hopefully, enjoy dual success in Sydney.

Predicted line-ups

Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, McDermott; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Porecki, Robertson, Frost, Skelton, Valetini, Tizzano, Wilson.

British & Irish Lions: Kinghorn; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Curry, Bierne, Earl.

Lions record vs Australia

Whatever happens in Sydney, the Lions will return home to the UK and Ireland as the first overseas victors in more than a decade.

The last series win came in Australia back in 2013, of course, where a titanic series ended in a 2-1 victory for the tourists.

On this particular tour, the Lions have won all eight of the games they have played, leading Australia 2-0 but also defeating each of the other combatants that have come their way.

This has been one of the most dominant Lions’ displays in modern memory… but can they sign off on a high in Sydney?

FIRST's recommended sports betting sites for Australia vs British & Irish Lions

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic