England's Joe Root is fifth on the International Cricket Council Test rankings. Virat Kohli, India's counterpart, is fourth.England v India, the first LV= Insurance Test Date: 4-8 Aug Time: 11:00 BST. Coverage: Inplay highlights, Test Match Special commentary, and text coverage on BBC Sport's website and app. You can watch daily highlights of Today at the Test at 19.00 BST on BBC Two (BBC Four Saturday).England and India will meet in a series of five Tests that begins at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.Fourth place in the world against second. Joe Root versus Virat Kohli. England's top-class spinners vs India's record-breaking seamersEngland were almost unbeatable at home - the series loss to New Zealand in June was their first since 2014. But India pulled off a 3-1 victory when Root's team hosted them earlier this year.England will be without Ben Stokes who is their all-rounder lynchpin, while India has lost three players to injury and one more player has been ruled out of the Test due to concussion.Who are the key players? Which country will decide the winner of the series? Who will win?BBC Sport and Test Match Special make their predictions.Alastair Cook, ex-captain of England and all-time leading Test run-scorerBen Stokes would make me feel more confident in England, so that makes it very different. They will have a difficult time with India on tour and in a bubble situation for so many months - they arrived in June for the World Test Championship final.England will be a favorite against the Indian batting line up due to their ability to move the ball. With one Test being heavily affected by rain, I believe England will score enough runs to win the series.Prediction: England 3-1 IndiaMichael Vaughan, ex-captain of EnglandAlthough it is not something I like to say, India has the best chance of winning the UK. There is no Ben Stokes, Jofra archer or Chris Woakes who can start.The Test team of England has been in turmoil for the past year. There are many players who feel under pressure after New Zealand's series loss.India has a formidable batting lineup and an amazing bowling line up with all the variations.Prediction: England to India 1-3Phil Tufnell, ex-england spinnerThis series is exciting because it will feature some amazing players.This series will have a little edge. I can feel it. England will struggle, but I will still back them to win.Prediction: England to India 2-2Mark Ramprakash is an ex-england batsman and former batting coachEngland's batting is weak. They struggle to hit big runs on a regular basis. There is also a lack experience at the top of their order, except for captain Joe Root.India has proven they are a top-class team, especially with their incredible come-from-behind win in Australia last year. They could also win in England. They are definitely highly motivated.England is clearly more concerned with one-day cricket right now - their first-class cricket has been very limited since the New Zealand series loss in June. So my money is on India.Prediction: India 1-2 EnglandJonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondentBecause they played on spin-friendly pitches, it is hard to compare this series to England's 3-1 series loss in India. In English conditions, it looks more even. India has not won in England in 14 years, but they are a fine team and Virat Kohli is determined to make it happen.Both teams are equipped with seam attack skills that will test all batsmen. The series will be decided by who can score the most runs. It's all about the big players like Joe Root, Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ajinkya Rahane. It will be a great series.Prediction: It is impossible to predict because one Covid outbreak can change everything.Alison Mitchell, Test Match Special commentatorEngland will struggle to balance their team without Ben Stokes. The defeat to New Zealand in the Test series showed that England's top six is not yet established and settled. Jos Buttler should however return.After witnessing India beat Australia away, largely without Viratkohli, I know they won't be intimidated by playing in England. However, if they face some very green tracks that could work in England’s favor. However, I don't think England is a match-winning team right now.Prediction: India 1-2 EnglandSimon Mann, Test Match Special commentatorThis is India's biggest chance. Their batting in England has been inconsistent in recent series, but that gives England hope. England's top six seems vulnerable, particularly without Ben Stokes. They also have Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes missing for the at least first two Tests.England's record against India, Australia and New Zealand since beating India in India is just three wins from 13 Tests. India looks strong enough to take decisive measures.Prediction: India 1-2 EnglandDan Norcross, Test Match Special CommentatorIndia has a strong seam-bowling team, as shown by their win in Australia last year. They also have great depth, and they won the series with what was essentially a second team. Ravichandran Ashwin is an off-spinner and Ravindra Jadeja is a left-arm spinner, which can both score large runs.England, on the other hand, does not have enough runs to support their weight. They have problems at the top of their order, but they also have problems down the order due to the absence of bowlers making runs.India is one of the best sides in the world. I think they would be favourites to beat an England team in transition. India's seamers will prevail in one match. But...Prediction: England to India 1-3
