Another four matches in the Specsavers County Championship begin on Sunday as that competition also moves into the second half of the campaign with the race for the title, promotion and to avoid relegation all in full swing now.
Among the four games beginning on Sunday there are three from the top flight and one from Division Two but with the ODI series going on there are no TV interest in any of them. We’ll begin our preview with the Division One action.
Division One
Hampshire play host to Somerset in this division while Lancashire head to Lord’s looking to maintain their position at the top of the table when they take on Middlesex while Warwickshire host Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston in what is probably the pick of the matches on Sunday.
I’m going to give Warwickshire vs Nottinghamshire a miss this week. The prices look about right in that one but either side could win that with a purple spell with the bat or the ball so there isn’t too much in the way of value there. I am getting involved in the other two matches though.
Hampshire look in a bit of disarray to me at the minute and remain without their captain James Vince who is away with England. Injuries are really hurting Hampshire and you can tell from watching them that they are a side devoid of confidence who are beginning to get frustrated with how they are playing.
Somerset aren’t like that. They are flying at the minute and can’t wait for the next game to come along I wouldn’t think. Somerset definitely have the better of this one with the bat and for once they probably have the edge with the ball too so we should be looking back on this one at the end of the week and saying the 4/5 on Somerset was something of a steal.
I’m also going to side with the league leaders Lancashire at Lord’s. Adam Voges has gone on international duty for Middlesex now and Steven Finn is away with England so there is a bit of a hole in the capital side’s team which can be exploited.
Lancashire don’t have those problems. They head to HQ with a settled side and the introduction and success of Matthew Parkinson into the team last week can only be a good thing. Lancashire have a really good bowling attack and they are underrated enough with the bat to be good value in this match.
Division Two
Just the one match in this division gets going on Sunday and it sees Kent hosting Derbyshire in a big match for the Canterbury faithful. They will go above Essex in this match although Essex will have a game in hand so it is vital Kent win the match.
Derbyshire are having all sorts of problems this season and aren’t going to be a part of the promotion push from the position that they are in but they do have a batting line up that can cause trouble so I’m reluctant to take them on at the minute. That said I would expect Kent to win so I can’t take Derbyshire. Kent are too short for me so I’ll sit this one out too.
Tips
PUSH – Back Somerset to beat Hampshire for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Ladbrokes
PUSH – Back Lancashire to beat Middlesex for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Ladbrokes
Back them here:
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