The County Championship matches this weekend have a truncated feel to them with half of them beginning on Saturday and the other half on Sunday but that gives us time to have a good look at them all in a bit of detail and hopefully land some betting opportunities. We’ll begin with the Division One matches.
Division One
Two of the four matches to get underway on Saturday are in the top flight. Nottinghamshire welcome Durham to Trent Bridge while Somerset host Surrey down at Taunton. Surrey have begun the season very poorly and desperately need a win soon but I’m not sure the time has yet arrived where I can back Somerset at odds on so I’ll leave that match alone and go at the other one.
I’m quite surprised Nottinghamshire are the favourites to beat Durham. After their win over Surrey in the opening week of the season Nottinghamshire have been pretty much outplayed throughout, losing three of their next five matches and drawing the other two and hanging on in one of them it has to be said.
In contrast Durham are unbeaten this season. They have won two matches which happen to be their last two matches and are playing some good cricket at the minute. They took that into their T20 match on Friday too which they also won so their spirits will be really high at present.
Nottinghamshire will get Jake Ball back as he wasn’t included in the England side but they are without Alex Hales and Chris Read and the latter’s batting and captaincy could well be missed. Something isn’t quite right at Nottinghamshire at the minute and I’ll take Durham to put another blow into them this week.
Division Two
Two matches in this division and on paper at least they look like being one sided affairs as Essex are well fancied to beat Northamptonshire while Sussex host Derbyshire in a match they are expected to win too.
The odds largely reflect that which isn’t ideal. I was hoping one of the two favourites would be a little bigger. I fully expect Essex to beat Northants but with the weather the way it is this time of year I’m not one for jumping in at silly prices.
The other match might be closer in that Derbyshire at least have a batting line up capable of making matches interesting but I suspect Sussex are starting to find their groove and I can’t really go against them so it is no bet in the second division for me on Saturday.
Tips
PUSH – Back Durham to beat Nottinghamshire for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Coral
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