Kevin Pietersen makes Ashes prediction for the series between Australia and England

Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan and David Warner have all made their Ashes predictions as Australia look to retain the urn against England.

The five-match Test series starts early on Friday morning at Optus Stadium in Perth.

England have lost the last three Ashes series in Australia by an aggregate score of 13-0 and have won just one series Down Under since 1987.

But it has been suggested England have their best chance in 15 years to reclaim the urn on Australian soil.

England have made a big impression under head coach Brendon McCullum and superstar captain Ben Stokes, blowing away several teams with their attacking cricket.

For all that has been made of Australia’s aging squad, the hosts are ranked first in the world in Test cricket and reached the final of the World Test Championship last summer.

Pietersen expects England to win a Test match in Australia for the first time since 2011, but fears a series victory would be beyond even Stokes and his team.

Speaking to former Australian rival Brad Haddin on the Willow Talk cricket podcastPietersen said: ‘I think it is difficult for England to win in Australia, very difficult.

‘It’s difficult for them to win a whole series. Can they win a Test match? I think with the way they’re playing they can definitely do that if everything falls into place.

“But it will be difficult to win the whole series, so I have Australia in the race, but I think it could be a tough battle.”

While Pietersen expects Australia to retain the Ashes, two of his former England teammates from the 2010/11 victory are more hopeful.

“I’m going for 3-1 for England, I have to support England,” said ex-England captain Alastair Cook TNT Sports.

‘Is there a chance? There is an absolute chance of England winning this series, a big chance.

‘They are not favourites, Australia are favourites, we know that in their home conditions.

‘But what I do know is that this England team has the fire and the ability, that if things go well and they get their luck on the right side and play well, they can certainly, certainly do serious damage to this Australian team.’

Former England spinner Graeme Swann added: ‘I think every game will be a result and I think England will make it 3-2.’

Glenn McGrath has already given his usual 5-0 prediction, insisting it will be ‘interesting’ to see if the tourists can win a single Test.

“It’s rare for me to make a prediction, isn’t it? And I can’t make another: 5-0 against Australia,” he told BBC Sport.

‘I have a lot of confidence in our team. When you have Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon shooting in their home conditions, it gets pretty tough.