MIDDLESEX V SURREY at Lord's (SSCC1), 4-7 AUGUST 2016

Top plays seventh in what could be a pivotal clash for both, either in terms of carrying off the title or avoiding relegation - depending on your point of view. Ominously, as far as Surrey are concerned, the Oval outfit have had nothing to show from nine championship visits to Lord's since beating Middlesex by an innings in 1997. Furthermore, they have also lost by an innings themselves on two of their last four trips to North London.

Now, be honest, who, at the start of the season, thought Nick Gubbins (767 runs at an average of 63.91) would be Middlesex's leading run-maker in the County Championship heading into August? Or, for that matter, that 22-year-old Steve Eskinazi would hit successive hundreds against Lancashire and Yorkshire? In short, there has been a changing of the guard at Lord's this summer, although, as anticipated, Adam Voges heads Middlesex's batting averages and the former England batsman, Sam Robson has hit back at his critics with 719 champo runs at an average of 59.91. To some extent, the alterations were forced upon the North Londoners with Eoin Morgan returning to the IPL, following a one-year absence, and Nick Compton choosing to take a five-week break from all cricket after losing his England place. That said, with Robson out with a side strain, Compton could make a re-appearance tomorrow.

Even in the absence of England's Steven Finn their bowling strength alone means Middlesex are invariably in with a chance, especially with off-spinner Ollie Rayner (22 championship wickets at 25.54 runs apiece) enjoying arguably the best season of his career. Strange, then, that the word is the 30-year-old will be forced to move on at the end of the season. Once again, Tim Murtagh (31 wickets at 24.35) and Toby Roland-Jones (30 at an average of 29.06) have proven to be a consistently successful new-ball combo. Not even James Harris's struggles with form and an awful ankle injury to Tom Helm have held the North Londoners back with James Fuller and Harry Podmore stepping up to the plate when activated.

Surrey v Middlesex - First-Class Records Sheet

I'm at a bit of a loss this time as there don't appear to be any looming. However, if he plays, Stuart Meaker's 70th first-class appearance will also be his f-c debut at Lord's.

Zafar Ansari, who picked up a back injury during Surrey's nail-biting innings victory against Hampshire, is named in the visitors' 12-man squad. But, curiously, Jade Dernbach isn't, which suggests only one of Mark Footitt or Stuart Meaker will make way for the returning Tom Curran, who was on duty with the England Lions when Surrey were last in championship action.

The weather forecasters are telling us to expect some rain on day one, but with Lord's being Lord's that doesn't necessarily mean it's impossible to force a positive outcome. Middlesex will fancy their chances of putting even more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack at the top of Division One. If Surrey are to stop them, they will need to replicate their batting display at Southampton; apart from Jason Roy, of course, who made a duck in his side's 637-7 declared. Away from home this season, Roy averages a mere 11.57 with the bat in the County Championship. Prediction - a hard-fought draw.

N.Gubbins, N.Compton, S.Eskinazi, D.Malan, G.Bailey, J.Simpson (wk), J.Franklin (capt), O.Rayner, T.Roland-Jones, T.Murtagh and H.Podmore.

Graham Lloyd and David Millns. Surrey have won just two out of the 16 championship games in which either of these umpires have stood. Mind you, prior to their visit to Derby in June 2014, the Oval outfit hadn't won any in eleven. Combined leg-before-o-meter: 22.3% of dismissals.

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