One Day Cup Final Predictions: Leicestershire To End Gloomy Week On High With Cup Success?

Leicestershire are One Day Cup betting favourites for the final against Middlesex this weekend.

The Foxes have had a horrible week, having been handed a 28-point penalty in the County Championship, which effectively guarantees relegation.

For Middlesex, this represents a glimmer of hope in another disappointing season. Languishing in the County Championship and eliminated in the group stage of the T20 Blast, Middlesex are at a low ebb.

One Day Cup Final Best Bets

• Naavya Sharma Top Middlesex Bowler
• Nathan Fernandes Over 25.5 Runs (5/6)
• Leicestershire’s First Wicket To Fall at Under 29.5 Runs (5/6)

Sharma has been excellent in the One Day Cup. The 21-year-old has also been in good red-ball form, picking up 14 wickets in three matches since the County Championship resumed. He was consistently among the wickets in the One Day Cup, including two wickets in the semi-final.

Fernandes scored 44 in the semi-final after getting 92 against Sussex. The youngster has hit this over in his last three limited overs matches and showed decent form for the second XI with 49 against Derbyshire’s 2s.

Leicestershire’s openers have gone under this line in their last four One Day Cup matches. Sharma and Toby Roland-Jones are going to be a threat with the new ball in autumnal conditions.

Leicestershire vs Middlesex Odds

• Leicestershire – 8/13
• Middlesex – 6/5

Naavya Sharma was rested from this week’s red-ball fixture, keeping Middlesex’s leading One Day Cup wicket taker fresh for the final. Part of Leicestershire’s success in this tournament can be attributed to how few players they lost to The Hundred. Rehan Ahmed is a key factor in the final, though, after bowling his allocation of overs and scoring a quick 31 in the semi.

Middlesex overcame a strong Durham side in the last four. Joshua De Caries and Nathan Fernandes, who are tied for the county’s most runs in the competition on 380 apiece, will open the batting followed by Ben Geddes. It’s been a real team effort throughout this competition.

Conditions

It’s no secret that Trent Bridge tends to favour batters. A par score in 50-over cricket is usually close to the 300 mark. The weather doesn’t look like it will have too much of an impact this weekend so bear that in mind when looking at sports betting.

Scores in The Hundred were a bit more of a mixed bag, with no teams going truly nuclear. Still, it’s fair to expect teams to get off to a flyer in the powerplay this weekend and we know it’s a ground where plenty of damage can be done in the death overs.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*