Essex and Surrey go toe to toe at Chelmsford in a huge T20 Blast showdown with second place in the South Group on the line.
These two counties boast identical records - four wins and three losses - after seven matches and defeat would be costly, especially with high-flying Hampshire looking like they have nailed down top spot and a place in the play-offs.
These sides need their big stars to stand up, so Essex will be delighted that two of Surrey's biggest won't be in action.
Essex v Surrey Tips Summary
Best Bet - Essex to win @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Michael Pepper over 26.5 player performance @ 5/6
Bet Builder - Reece Topley 1+ wicket, Charlie Bennett 1+ wicket, Josh Philippe over 22.5 runs & Under 9.5 wickets caught @ 13/2
Essex v Surrey Prediction
Best Bet: Essex to win @ 13/8
Essex have won four of their last five T20 matches against Surrey and they look overpriced to extend that sequence.
Simon Harmer's men would look a big price anyway given the teams are inseparable in the standings.
But add into the mix that Surrey are without their two top scorers, Will Jacks and Sam Curran, and that seems to make the home county even more attractive.
Alternative Bet: Michael Pepper over 26.5 player performance @ 5/6
Michael Pepper will be wearing the gloves in this game with Jordan Cox away, something he has done five times for Essex in the Blast this season.
And that makes his player performance at 26.5 far too short.
His performance make-ups in the competition this season read 52-25-84-48-24-6-23 with the latter two games where he wasn't behind the stumps.
Essex v Surrey Bet Builder Tip
Reece Topley 1+ wicket
Charlie Bennett 1+ wicket
Josh Philippe over 22.5 runs
Under 9.5 wickets caught
Pays @ 13/2
Rival seamers Reece Topley and Charlie Bennett are their county's leading wicket-takers and hugely consistent.
Each man has taken at least one wicket in all seven games they have played, so expect both to get on the scorecard once more.
Aussie batter Josh Philippe enjoyed a successful first appearance for Surrey, scoring 52 in their win over Sussex on Friday.
Signed as cover for Will Jacks, his runs look light at 22.5 on a good, sun-baked track at Chelmsford.
Indeed, there should be plenty of runs, with wickets at a premium, with certainly fewer than 10 dismissals being caught.
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Key Match Stats
Essex and Surrey are locked together on 16 points in the South Group
Essex had a three-game Blast winning streak brutally ended by Northamptonshire in a stunning 130-run loss on Friday
Surrey bounced back from the mid-summer break with a seven-wicket win over Sussex
Charlie Allison is Essex's top runscorer in the Blast this season - he has scored 225 runs with three scores over 60
Surrey's two top scorers are Will Jacks and Sam Curran, neither of whom is playing here
Reece Topley has taken 13 wickets for Surrey with at least one wicket claimed in all seven fixtures
Essex paceman Charlie Bennett has 12 wickets and, like Topley, has struck in all seven games for his side
Tactics, Form and Team News
Essex have won four and lost three after seven rounds, and are determined to erase the memories of last week's 130-run loss to Northants.
England fast bowler Sam Cook is still sidelined with a wrist injury while keeper/batter Cox is away on England T20 duty.
Predicted Essex XI: Walter, Pepper (wk), Allison, Benkenstein, Critchley, Thain, Harmer (c), Fernandes, Snater, Akhter, Bennett.
Surrey, like Essex, have won four and lost the other three of their seven fixtures, crushing Sussex by seven wickets last time, chasing down 171 in just 15.3 overs.
Surrey are without their captain and bowling all-rounder Curran and their batting all-rounder Jacks, both of whom are away with England.
Predicted Surrey XI: Roy, Philippe, Pope (c, wk), Lawrence, Evans, T Curran, Jordan, Lawes, Topley, Abbott, Majid.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
