The forecasters are saying it could be a damp end to Surrey's season, which seems appropriate given that the Oval outfit were right in the promotion hunt with four games to play before their challenge hit stony ground. Derbyshire, who were relegated along with Surrey twelve months ago have had a topsy-turvey campaign in which some established names have departed. Still, the Peakites go into this contest with a chance of finishing higher up the Division Two table than their hosts. Indeed, if things were to go against Surrey, the South Londoners might find themselves in fifth or even sixth when the dust settles on the 2014 season.

Just six of the Derbyshire side likely to start this game have appeared in more than half of their side's 14 championship matches this summer - Wayne Madsen (904 championship runs at an average of 39.30), Wes Durston, who is averaging 35.75 with the bat, all-rounders Alex Hughes and David Wainwright plus the spearheads of Derbyshire's bowling attack - Mark Footitt (66 championship wickets at 20.50 runs apiece) and Tony Palladino.

Footitt and Palladino have a useful ally in Wayne White, who has proved to be a canny loan signing from Lancashire. India's Cheteshwar Pujara has taken over from Shivnarine Chanderpaul as overseas batsman, although the 26-year-old will be looking to improve on the 7 and 0 he made on his county debut, against Glamorgan at Cardiff. Ben Slater and Billy Godleman are pencilled in to open the batting, while 18 year-old Harvey Hosein looks set to take over from Gareth Cross with the wicketkeeping gloves. 

If he plays, Arun Harinath will be making his 50th first-class appearance. Meanwhile, Derbyshire's Cheteshwar Pujara is set to have his 100th f-c outing in the same match as team-mate Harvey Hosein is likely to make his first-class debut.

Surrey have named an unchanged 13-man squad from the one that travelled to Worcester. However, given the extent to which Stuart Meaker has struggled with his line in recent weeks, it will be interesting to see if the Surrey management stick with him or ring some changes. To be fair to Meaker it is less than a year since he had two major operations - one on a knee and one on a shoulder. Talking of which, Chris Tremlett underwent routine shoulder surgery last week, in the hope it will cure the problem that has held him back all summer.

The weather forecast suggests a day's play could be lost in total. That won't be a problem if a similar surface to the one on which Surrey played New Zealand A is served up. But, on the whole, the pitches at the Oval have tended to favour the bat, which makes a stronger case for me saying this contest is destined for stalemate. Surrey haven't lost at the Oval in their last championship game of the season at home since 2008. Furthermore, Derbyshire have won only once in SE11 since 1966 in the County Championship. Verdict - As I say, a draw.

B Slater, B Godleman, W Madsen (capt), C Pujara, W Durston, A Hughes, H Hosein (wk), D Wainwright, A Palladino, M Footitt and W White.

To be confirmed.

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