Seventh plays eighth in Division Two. Indeed this is only contest taking place in this round of matches between two sides seeking their first championship victory of the season.

Gloucestershire have had more to be optimistic about than Surrey. 24-year-old Will Tavare has already made 299 runs at an average of 74.75, including hundreds against Hampshire and Essex. Former skipper, Alex Gidman has also been in the runs, having just hit an undefeated 119 in the second dig against Essex at Bristol. The main concern, as regards the batting, is the form of current captain and overseas player, Michael Klinger, who has only mustered 91 runs from five visits to the crease in the championship.

With the ball, Will Gidman continues to be the model of consistency. The former Durham man already has 14 championship wickets at 16.00 runs apiece. 19-year-old all-rounder, Matt Taylor (10 wickets at an average of 20.50) has been a revelation, while Graeme McCarter and Ian Saxleby have also chipped in. Assuming both McCarter and Saxleby are fit, James Fuller and Tom Smith will most likely be vying over the remaining berth. If the pitch looks as if it could take spin, Smith, who had a brief period on loan at Surrey in 2009, should get the nod.

Surrey's Stuart Meaker (945) is approaching 1,000 first-class career runs.

Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker have both been asked to stand down for this match, to prepare for the Twenty20, which begins on Friday. Neither had much luck with the ball in last week's soul-destroying loss to Kent. Besides, Tim Linley could not be more deserving of a recall. Also recalled are Chris Tremlett, who sat out the last two games with a back complaint, and Tom Curran, who had exams last week. Gary Wilson returns from international duty. The big question is, who will be left out for Aneesh Kapil, who was one of the few plusses to come out of the Canterbury trip?

Each of the last five championship clashes between Surrey and Gloucestershire have produced a positive outcome. However, if the weather forecast for this week is to be believed, we could lose up to a day's play, overall, to the weather, which makes the draw the likeliest result. Surely, Surrey must start winning soon. If not, it could well be a long hard season for all concerned. Prediction - if this one goes the distance, Surrey win.

M Klinger (capt), C Dent, W Tavare, A Gidman, H Marshall, W Gidman, C Herring (wk), M Taylor, T Smith, I Saxelby, G McCarter.

Rob Bailey and Martin Bodenham.

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