Ashes Series 2013: Why England Will Take 3-0 Lead over Australia at Old Trafford

England and Australia lock horns at Old Trafford for the third time this summer with England on the brink of retaining the Ashes.

After a pair of contrasting wins—by a landslide at Lord's and by the skin of their teeth at Trent Bridge—Alastair Cook's men know that a draw is all they need to keep hold of the sacred urn.

However, unless the weather dramatically intervenes, a draw is about the best Australia can hope for right now, with England poised to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.

In terms of venues, Old Trafford is about the worst ground for Australia to begin rescuing their series.

England boast a formidable recent record in Manchester, winning six of their past seven Tests, and all by a convincing margin. Old Trafford's redevelopment has limited the amount of recent Tests at the venue, but Pakistan are the only visiting side to claim a win over England in the last 11 encounters, dating all the way back to 1997.

Australia's strength lies very much in their seam bowling core, which struggled at Lord's and are in danger of being neutralised by the pitch at Old Trafford.

Brydon Coverdale of ESPNCricinfo reports how the pitch is likely to spin, therefore putting the emphasis on Nathan Lyon or Ashton Agar for the visitors, who have both struggled thus far on tour.

Agar has two wickets at an average of 104 from Lord's and Trent Bridge, while Lyon didn't exactly press for selection against Sussex, with dismal figures of 1-99. Neither has demonstrated he has the ability to bowl Australia to victory here. 

In contrast, Graeme Swann is the joint-leading wicket taker with 13 wickets at an average of just 22.08. The England off-spinner recorded a five-wicket haul during his only previous Test match at Old Trafford and will be eager to bowl on another receptive pitch.

England's reserve spinner, Monty Panesar, has also thrived in Manchester—taking 25 wickets in just three Tests at an average of 16.72.

His impressive record will have seen his selection come under considerable debate, but if it comes down to a battle between spinners, Swann will emerge on top.

Away from spin, there's also the added factor of a homecoming James Anderson for Australia to contend with, arguably England's player of the series so far.

The Burnley-born seamer has been deprived of a home Test match since 2010 and will be desperate to shine in front of what's sure to be a boisterous, partisan crowd.

Finally, with 317 runs already to his name and three Ashes centuries on the bounce, Ian Bell is the leading run scorer of the series by a considerable margin. Unfortunately for Australia, the Warwickshire man just so happens to average a colossal 81 at Old Trafford and will fancy making them pay once again.

England's convincing win at Lord's will supply them with considerable momentum for this third Test match, and Australia will do well to rouse themselves into the contest.

Having been away from the Test arena for the past three years, come Monday, Old Trafford should be the scene of some lengthy England celebrations as Cook's side retain the Ashes.