Lancashire vs Middlesex – OneDay Cup Match Preview – 26 August 2025

Date: 26 August 2025
Time: 11:00 GMT
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Format: OneDay Cup

Match Overview

The Lancashire vs Middlesex clash in the OneDay Cup promises to be a fascinating encounter as two contrasting teams meet at Old Trafford. Lancashire, struggling at the bottom of the Group B table, will be looking to put a stop to their poor run of form, while Middlesex, in fourth place and still in the playoff race, are expected to be the stronger side.

With a 63% chance of victory according to recent match predictions, Middlesex are the clear favorites. Lancashire, on the other hand, have only managed one win in their last six matches, and their batting line-up has been a major concern.

Key Match Facts

• Marcus Harris remains Lancashire’s top performer in the tournament with 273 runs in six innings.
• Sam Robson is Middlesex's leading run-scorer with an impressive 423 runs in seven innings.
• The toss is expected to be won by the team chasing, due to the historical preference at Old Trafford.
• Light rain is expected in Manchester, with a 45% chance of precipitation and a high of 20°C.

Team Form

Lancashire:

• 1 win, 5 losses, and 1 abandoned match so far in Group B.
• Their batting has been inconsistent, with only Marcus Harris providing consistent runs.
• Lancashire are second-last in the group and will need a significant upturn in form to avoid finishing at the bottom.

Middlesex:

• 5 wins in the last 6 matches.
• A powerful batting lineup with firepower across the order.
• Despite a weak top order, the middle and lower order have consistently delivered crucial runs.
• Middlesex are in the race for a playoff spot and will be eager to secure a win.

Head-to-Head

• Lancashire have a slight edge in the last five meetings, winning three of them.
• However, Middlesex have won the most recent meeting in 2025 (04/04/2025).
• The last meeting in 2023 saw Lancashire win by 10 runs, but Middlesex have since improved.

Playing XI Predictions

Lancashire (11 Players):

• Michael Jones (Allrounder)
• George Bell (Wicketkeeper)
• Keshana Fonseka (Batter)
• Marcus Harris (Batter)
• Harry Singh (Batter)
• Joseph Moores (Allrounder)
• George Balderson (Allrounder)
• Arav Shetty (Batter)
• Jack Blatherwick (Bowler)
• Luke Hands (Bowler)
• Tom Aspinwall (Bowler)

Middlesex (11 Players):

• Joe Cracknell (Wicketkeeper)
• Joshua De Caires (Batter)
• Sam Robson (Batter)
• Ben Geddes (Batter)
• Jack Davies (Batter)
• Luke Hollman (Bowler)
• Nathan Fernandes (Allrounder)
• Toby Roland-Jones (Bowler)
• Henry Brookes (Bowler)
• Noah Cornwell (Bowler)
• Josh Little (Bowler)

Key Players to Watch

Lancashire:

• Marcus Harris – The team's top run-scorer and likely to be the key batter.
• Jack Blatherwick – Expected to be the standout bowler.

Middlesex:

• Sam Robson – The team’s mainstay and highest run-scorer.
• Henry Brookes – Their leading bowler and crucial for breaking partnerships.

Match Prediction

Given their recent form and the context of the tournament, Middlesex are the favorites to win. Lancashire's batting struggles and inconsistent performances make it difficult for them to challenge a side as strong as Middlesex.

Prediction:

• Middlesex to win
• Middlesex to score low before first dismissal
• Lancashire’s opening partnership to be under 25.5
• Middlesex’s opening partnership to be under 24.5

Betting Odds (Parimatch)

• Lancashire to win: 2.13
• Middlesex to win: 1.58
• Lancashire to have a better opening partnership than Middlesex: 1.77
• Lancashire Opening Partnership to be Under 25.5: 1.83
• Middlesex Opening Partnership to be Under 24.5: 1.83

Final Thoughts

Lancashire will be under pressure to perform, but Middlesex’s superior form and firepower should give them the edge. The light rain could play into the hands of the chasing side, and with the toss likely to go in their favor, Middlesex are well-positioned to secure a crucial victory in their playoff race.

Expected Result:
Middlesex to win by a decent margin.
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