Surrey welcome London rivals Middlesex to The Oval on Wednesday evening for their fifth T20 Blast match of the season with both sides in need of a win.
The visitors have lost three of their opening four group matches while Surrey’s record is only marginally better with two wins from four.
Surrey won the reverse fixture at Lord’s on 24th May, a comfortable six-wicket success with nine balls to spare and, as a result and armed with home advantage, head into this clash as strong 2/5 favourites.
Last time out, Surrey took a hammering from Kent, losing by eight wickets after being bowled out for just 116.
However, a home match against a team they have an excellent record against might be just what they need to get their season back on track.
Surrey have won the last four completed matches against Middlesex and are expected to make that five in a row this week.
Surrey v Middlesex Tips Summary
Best Bet - Surrey handicap -5.5 wickets/-20.5 runs @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Joshua de Caires top Middlesex batter @ 6/1
Bet Builder - Surrey to win, Sam Curran over 21.5 runs & Reece Topley top match bowler @ 9/1
Surrey v Middlesex Prediction
Best Bet: Surrey handicap -5.5 wickets/-20.5 runs @ 10/11
Surrey were well below their best in Sunday's eight-wicket defeat to Kent, but they are worth backing to respond against opponents they have dominated in recent years.
They have won the last seven completed meetings with Middlesex and eased to a six-wicket victory at Lord's less than two weeks ago, despite finding themselves under pressure at 56-4 in pursuit of 144.
Sam Curran's unbeaten 71 guided Surrey home that day and their squad still looks significantly stronger than their rivals on paper.
Middlesex have lost three of their opening four Blast matches and were beaten by eight wickets by Hampshire last time out after managing just 126-7 off their 20 overs.
The visitors have struggled for consistency with both bat and ball and Surrey can make home advantage count by recording a comfortable victory at The Oval.
Alternative Bet: Joshua de Caires top Middlesex batter @ 6/1
Joshua de Caires has been one of the bright spots in a difficult start to the campaign and looks a good price in the top batter market for Middlesex.
The number three may have only scored 96 runs from his three innings, but that includes an unbeaten 80 and he averages 48 for the campaign. He has shown an ability to rebuild after early wickets while still maintaining a healthy scoring rate.
Middlesex's top order has struggled for consistency during a disappointing start to the competition and that places even greater importance on De Caires' role at first drop.
With Surrey boasting a strong bowling attack, backing Middlesex's most reliable batter to top-score again appeals at 6/1.
Surrey v Middlesex Bet Builder Tip
- Surrey to win
- Sam Curran over 21.5 runs
- Reece Topley top match bowler
Pays 9/1
Sam Curran was the difference between these sides when they met at Lord's, striking an unbeaten 71 from 47 balls after Surrey had slipped to 56-4 in pursuit of 144.
The Surrey captain enjoys taking responsibility in pressure situations and a line of 21.5 runs looks well within reach.
Reece Topley struck twice when these sides met at Lord's, dismissing Adam Rossington and skipper Leus du Plooy on his way to figures of 2-39.
The left-armer has the pace and bounce to trouble Middlesex again and could prove difficult to handle under the lights at The Oval.
With Surrey having won seven consecutive matches against Middlesex and boasting the stronger squad, another home success looks the most likely outcome.
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Key Match Stats
- Surrey have won the last seven T20 Blast matches against Middlesex
- Surrey beat Middlesex by six wickets with nine balls to spare when the sides met at Lord's on 24th May
- Middlesex have lost three of their opening four Blast matches this season
- Reece Topley is Surrey’s top wicket-taker this season with 7/123
- Sam Curran struck an unbeaten 71 from 47 balls in Surrey's victory over Middlesex at Lord's
- Tom Helm leads the way for Middlesex with the ball, taking six wickets for 119 runs this season
Tactics, Form and Team News
Chris Jordan has recovered from an ankle injury to make the Surry squad for the first time this season, but Tom Lawes is out after suffering his own ankle issue in the defeat to Hampshire.
Possible Surrey XI: Jason Roy, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope (wk), Sam Curran (c), Dan Lawrence, Laurie Evans, Tom Curran, Jordan Clark, Chris Jordan, Yousef Majid, Reece Topley.
Ben Geddes has been added to an otherwise unchanged Middlesex squad following his return from England Lions duty.
Possible Middlesex XI: Max Holden, Adam Rossington (wk), Josh de Caires, Leus du Plooy (c), Caleb Falconer, Ryan Higgins, Luke Hollman, Eathan Bosch, Zafar Gohar, Tom Helm, Noah Cornwell.
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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.
