Middlesex vs Surrey: May 20 County Championship 2021 Prediction

Match Predictions and Team Previews

It is the London derby in round seven of this 2021 edition of the County Championship. It is a return fixture in Group 2 and the Kennington Oval in London will host this game.

Both of these sides are in the bottom half of the points table in Group 2. However, it is Surrey who are well ahead with 68 points while Middlesex are on 44 points, only four points ahead of the bottom-placed Leicestershire.

Every game that Middlesex have played has produced a result. However, they have managed to win just one which came against Surrey. On either side of that win, they have two and three losses respectively.

The batting has been a huge area of concern for Middlesex. None of their players have aggregated more than 400 runs this season and none of them even average in excess of 40. In fact, Robbie White and Sam Robson who have the best averages this season for Middlesex are only a shade over 35. Moreover, the batsmen have combined to make just one individual century this season. The bowling has been decent with Tim Murtagh leading the charge once again. Hence, it’s high time the Middlesex batters pull up their socks and start producing some notable performances.

On the other hand, Surrey have lost a couple of games as well but that was at the start of the season. In their last three fixtures, they have one win and two draws. Both the draws were rain-affected games and the match couldn’t go past the first innings of both sides. Their only win came against Hampshire which was a comprehensive one as they won by an innings and 289 runs. The batters have fared pretty well but the bowlers have been slightly up and down.

Earlier this season, Middlesex handed Surrey a thrashing. Since then, Surrey have become better and Middlesex have lost three games on the bounce. Thus, it Surrey may start as slight favourites but don’t count Middlesex out.

Summary

Middlesex have had the upper hand over Surrey in this London-based rivalry. Since the start of 2016, Surrey have not been able to beat Middlesex even once as they have drawn four and lost two. In fact, both the losses came recently. Last season, Middlesex registered a 190-run win in the Bob Willis Trophy and earlier this year, they recorded a commanding 10-wicket win.

Last Six Results Between Middlesex and Surrey