The British and Irish Lions are preparing to face off for the third time this weekend and the bookmakers agree that a clean sweep is on the cards for Andy Farrell and his team.
Having done battle twice before this summer, with the Lions winning the first one 27-19 and the second one 29-26, the two are set to meet again on Saturday with the home side looking to take something away from what has been a disastrous summer so far.
The odds from the UK rugby bookmakers on Betselect do not see that happening, though, as Bet365 (4/11), William Hill (1/3), Unibet (7/20) and BetFred (1/3) are among those that have the Lions as overwhelming favourites to make it three-in-a-row.
Australia, meanwhile, are out at 23/10 (Paddy Power), 12/5 (William Hill), 47/20 (Unibet) and 12/5 (Ladbrokes) to bring their losing run to an end.
Australia, meanwhile, are out at 23/10 (Paddy Power), 12/5 (William Hill), 47/20 (Unibet) and 12/5 (Ladbrokes) to bring their losing run to an end.
But the odds don't tell the whole story really. The Lions have already done what they came to do and that was win the series, but heading into Saturday’s third Test in Sydney, the job isn’t finished. A 3–0 sweep is on the line.
That hasn’t been done since 1974. For all the short-term goals — combinations, game management, silencing the crowd — this match is about legacy for the Lions more than anything else.
And Australia will be desperate for that whitewash not to happen and in their defence The Wallabies have looked dangerous in patches, but the Lions have had more control when it’s mattered.
Melbourne showed both sides of this contest. For thirty minutes, Australia were excellent — sharp at the breakdown, confident in attack, and ahead on the scoreboard. They got into the Lions' faces and stretched the game wide. It was probably the best spell of rugby they’ve played under Joe Schmidt so far. But then it swung. The Lions tightened up, brought on their bench, and Finn Russell took control. It wasn’t flashy, just quietly ruthless. They clawed it back, and by the end, there was a sense of inevitability.
Brisbane the week before had a different feel. It was more methodical, more physical. The Lions stuck to their strengths: strong set-piece, patient kicking, and pressure that slowly suffocated the Wallabies out of the match. Australia kept it competitive, but they were chasing shadows by the final quarter.
This Saturday will be different again — because the context has shifted. The series is won. The Lions have nothing to lose. They’ll want the sweep, no doubt, but it also opens the door for a few changes. Garry Ringrose is out after failing a head injury assessment, so Huw Jones is likely to keep his spot. He was sharp in Melbourne — direct in attack, busy in defence — and brings a bit of edge to that midfield.
Mack Hansen is back in contention too, having shaken off the knock that kept him out of the first two Tests. Joe McCarthy is another who could get a look, especially if Gatland wants to manage the workload in the second row. But don’t expect wholesale rotation — this squad knows what’s on the line.
And Australia will be desperate for that whitewash not to happen and in their defence The Wallabies have looked dangerous in patches, but the Lions have had more control when it’s mattered.
Melbourne showed both sides of this contest. For thirty minutes, Australia were excellent — sharp at the breakdown, confident in attack, and ahead on the scoreboard. They got into the Lions' faces and stretched the game wide. It was probably the best spell of rugby they’ve played under Joe Schmidt so far. But then it swung. The Lions tightened up, brought on their bench, and Finn Russell took control. It wasn’t flashy, just quietly ruthless. They clawed it back, and by the end, there was a sense of inevitability.
Brisbane the week before had a different feel. It was more methodical, more physical. The Lions stuck to their strengths: strong set-piece, patient kicking, and pressure that slowly suffocated the Wallabies out of the match. Australia kept it competitive, but they were chasing shadows by the final quarter.
This Saturday will be different again — because the context has shifted. The series is won. The Lions have nothing to lose. They’ll want the sweep, no doubt, but it also opens the door for a few changes. Garry Ringrose is out after failing a head injury assessment, so Huw Jones is likely to keep his spot. He was sharp in Melbourne — direct in attack, busy in defence — and brings a bit of edge to that midfield.
Mack Hansen is back in contention too, having shaken off the knock that kept him out of the first two Tests. Joe McCarthy is another who could get a look, especially if Gatland wants to manage the workload in the second row. But don’t expect wholesale rotation — this squad knows what’s on the line.
For Australia, it’s a chance to make a statement. The scoreline reads 2–0, but the performances haven’t been a disaster. There are building blocks here. Schmidt’s been forced to shuffle his pack throughout the tour — injuries to Valetini, Gleeson, and Skelton have limited what he can do in terms of back-row balance and lineout security. But the glimpses are there. Tom Wright has looked confident. Suaalii’s been quieter than expected, but you get the sense a big moment might be coming. Rob Valetini, if fit, adds some much-needed weight to the contact zone.
Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Lions just have more gears. Russell is steering things beautifully, Dan Sheehan has been everywhere, and Maro Itoje is playing some of his best rugby in a Lions shirt. And then there’s Keenan — understated, smart, and increasingly influential. His last-minute try in Melbourne might not have been the most spectacular moment of the tour, but it said everything about this team’s ability to stay calm under pressure.
From a betting angle, there’s not a huge amount of value in backing the Lions outright unless you’re combining it with a margin or try-scorer. The 11–15 points bracket is probably where this lands if the pattern holds. Jones at 6/4 to score again? Not bad. Russell to finish top points scorer? He’s already there, and the odds reflect that.
But more than numbers or odds, what matters here is the tone this Lions team wants to set. Winning a series is one thing. Finishing it with purpose, with a clear statement of identity and intent — that’s something else. Gatland has seen enough Lions tours to know that people remember how you end them.
Sydney will be loud, the Wallabies will be desperate, and history is waiting. Whether it’s a defining final chapter or just a footnote depends entirely on how seriously the Lions take it.
Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that the Lions just have more gears. Russell is steering things beautifully, Dan Sheehan has been everywhere, and Maro Itoje is playing some of his best rugby in a Lions shirt. And then there’s Keenan — understated, smart, and increasingly influential. His last-minute try in Melbourne might not have been the most spectacular moment of the tour, but it said everything about this team’s ability to stay calm under pressure.
From a betting angle, there’s not a huge amount of value in backing the Lions outright unless you’re combining it with a margin or try-scorer. The 11–15 points bracket is probably where this lands if the pattern holds. Jones at 6/4 to score again? Not bad. Russell to finish top points scorer? He’s already there, and the odds reflect that.
But more than numbers or odds, what matters here is the tone this Lions team wants to set. Winning a series is one thing. Finishing it with purpose, with a clear statement of identity and intent — that’s something else. Gatland has seen enough Lions tours to know that people remember how you end them.
Sydney will be loud, the Wallabies will be desperate, and history is waiting. Whether it’s a defining final chapter or just a footnote depends entirely on how seriously the Lions take it.
