A sequence of three wins in four championship outings came to an abrupt halt at, where else, but Guildford, where Surrey's record in the last decade is so poor the place has now become a hoodoo. However, Grace Road, Leicester, where Surrey have not lost a championship game since 1995, is one of the South Londoners' happier hunting grounds. On each of their last six visits, Surrey have posted in excess of 325 on first innings. Unfortunately, one look at the Division Two table tells you the Oval outfit will do well to go up this year.

Leicestershire have had one or two positives, but not enough to quell rumours of key players seeking pastures new at the end of the season. Niall O'Brien has made 699 championship runs at an average of 41.11. With skipper Josh Cobb nursing a broken thumb, O'Brien could well lead the Foxes out in this game.

Sam Robson leads the list of Leicestershire run-makers in four-day cricket with 764 at 36.38. Cobb and Greg Smith have been there or thereabouts with the bat and the likely return of Shiv Thakor will be a boost.

With the ball, Nathan Buck goes into this contest with 39 championship wickets at 28.20 runs apiece. Sadly, while Charlie Shreck and Jigar Naik have manfully shouldered the greater part of the workload, they're averaging 37.06 and 84.25 runs per wicket respectively.

Stuart Meaker goes into this game with 199 first-class career wickets. As for Leicestershire, Dan Redfern is line to make his 75th f-c appearance. Nathan Buck (147) is closing in on 150 first-class wickets and Niall O'Brien is five dismissals away from 400 in his f-c career (357 caught, 38 stumped).

Zafar Ansari (back) and Jason Roy (finger) look almost certain to start for Surrey, whereas Matt Dunn and Jade Dernbach's chances of getting some cricket ahead of Twenty20 finals day appear to be diminishing.

Leicestershire have not won a championship game for nearly two years, whereas Surrey are on the fringes of the battle that will determine who goes up with Worcestershire at the end of the season. Surrey, who have run out winners in the last three championship meetings between these two sides, have not lost a four-day game at Grace Road since 1995. Verdict - if weather holds, a Surrey victory.

G Smith, A Robson, N Eckersley, D Redfern, M Boyce, N O'Brien (capt, wk), S Thakor, R Taylor, J Naik, N Buck and C Shreck.

Nigel Cowley and Paul Pollard.

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