Former England pacer Stuart Broad has tipped India as the favourites to win the Headingley Test as the match heads into its final day.

The series opener is evenly poised after four days of hard-fought contest between the two teams. While the hosts need 371 runs in the final innings, the visitors are 10 wickets away sealing a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.

According to Broad, England’s hopes hinge on how well they handle the threat of the new ball on Day 5. He believes the Shubman Gill-led side is slightly ahead in the game.

“Surviving that new ball period will be vital for England tomorrow. India should be seen as favourites on a day-five surface. They just have to create ten chances and make sure they hold their catches. They have to be favourites,” Broad said on Sky Sports.

Riding on centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118), India posted 364 in their second innings. They would be disappointed to have squandered the advantage on Day 4, losing their last six wickets for just 31 runs.

Chasing the target, the opening duo of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett helped England to 21 runs in six overs without the loss of a wicket at stumps, still needing 350 more runs.

Broad added that while Ben Stokes and his men will back themselves to chase down the target, the onus will be on Shubman Gill to handle the responsibility of rotating his bowlers effectively to keep the pressure on the home side.

“England will be backing themselves in the dressing room and will think they are favourites. Gill must manage his bowlers well. They have to come in hard and extract as much as they can from this pitch,” Broad said.

Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan shared a different perspective, predicting the match to end in a draw.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Vaughan opined that the outcome would depend on how England’s batters handle Jasprit Bumrah early in the morning and navigate Ravindra Jadeja’s spin.

Despite acknowledging India’s strong position, Vaughan felt the hosts could bat long enough to secure a draw.

“It will come down to how England play Bumrah with the new ball and then tackle Jadeja later on. But I think it will end up as a draw,” Vaughan said.