T20 Blast Finals Day Predictions: Somerset are on a roll

T20 Finals Day is here and once more two giants of the short-format look set to be on a collision course to meet in the Final. Can Northants or Notts stop us from a repeat of last year?

Let’s check out the Best Bets for Predictions for the Semi Final matches at Edgbaston this Saturday…

Northants vs Somerset

You would think this section would start with Somerset’s quite incredible comeback at Yorkshire to secure their spot in the semi-final but we are starting with Chris Lynn’s foot.

The Australian opener hit the first ever century on Finals Day last year (with Hampshire) and has been in quite scintillating form for his new county this summer. He’s fourth on the top scorers list with 475 but tops the averages at 52.77. That 173.35 strike rate isn’t too shabby either.

However, in the last ball of the Powerplay in their Quarter-Final, he was struck flush on the foot and hobbled off soon afterwards. If he’s fit, this is a genuine toss-up but if he’s unable to go, then Somerset should be considered significant favourites.

Northants are not a one-man team but the Aussie’s destructiveness at the top of the order has been the launching pad to their fantastic campaign.

One key statistic though, they only lost twice all season, both times to Somerset. Last year, Lewis Gregory’s team also beat a team three times in a season (Hampshire), I would not put it past them to do it again.

Somerset needed to win four straight to get into the Quarter-Finals and were down and out at Yorkshire before Craig Overton took the team on his back and launched an incredible rearguard action, scoring 79* from just 30 balls to get his side over the line.

As a Hampshire fan, I can tell you this, when you have the chance to take Somerset out, you’ve got to finish the job. They have some pedigree in this format of the game and a real will to win. I like them to get their third win over David Willey’s side.

Best Bets:

This is the first game of Finals Day and traditionally, the pitch will play at its best in the opener. There will be no early morning dew around, the pitch should be flat as a pancake.

This leads me to taking a Betfred Price Boost of Somerset to Win, Both Teams to Score 180+ Runs, which as been boosted from 18/5 to 4/1. I think that has a higher than 25% chance of happening, so those odds attract.

If you want a Prop Bet from this one, I like the 13/5 we are getting on both Chris Lynn and Will Smeed to score 30+ Runs. There is the obvious caveat about the former’s availability but you’ve got to think they’ll patch him up and he’ll play through the pain barrier if needed. On a flat track and such aggressive opening batsmen, I think they both have a strong showing.

*You can pick out your own bets and place them with us on betfred.com - just check out our market page with the live Northamptonshire vs Somerset Odds.

Hampshire vs Notts

As noted earlier, I am a Hampshire fan and have seen every single match this season. I have only seen Notts a couple of times, so my knowledge is certainly be stronger for the former.

James Vince has once again led his side to this position. There is no doubt in my mind that he (along with the aforementioned Gregory of Somerset) are the two best domestic captains around - and It's not even close.

He stood up and delivered when his side needed it most with a masterclass in the Quarter Final, scoring 125 and looking every bit the best batter to have ever played in this competition. He now leads Joe Denly of Kent by 1,142 runs in most runs scored and shows no sign of slowing up.

On Wednesday, he was ably backed up in the bowling department by Sonny Baker, who took a career best five wickets - including Essex’s three big danger men - all in his first two overs. The youngster got a Test debut earlier this summer and has a bright future ahead of him. His performances in the T20 side in the second half of the campaign though have been improving with every outing.

Big news for Hampshire is that Liam Dawson has been released by his country and will play. You have to feel a bit for Andrew Neal, who has ably replaced the veteran spinner but having the experience and nous of the England man will be a huge boost to the county.

As for Notts, they probably shouldn’t be here. Surrey were cruising in their Quarter Final before finding a way to proverbially shoot themselves in the foot. The run out of Jason Roy changed everything but even after that, they were in a good position to get home but some good bowling and the pressure told and the home side got home.

Scottish international George Munsey has been their star man throughout the campaign, with 488 runs at an average of 48.8. One slight issue though is his strike rate, which is good at 139.82, that though is significantly lower than say Hampshire’s star man in Vince who has been going at 164.15.

If Notts are going to get the win, they need to get the opposition skipper early. Tony Albert’s form has been poor all campaign and if they can go bang bang at the top of the order, it could expose a batting lineup who have had more than one or two shaky moments in recent matches.

Best Bets:

I’m following a similar theme to the first game and taking my pick to win the game and couple it with a second leg. This time both teams to score 160. As the day continues, the pitch will surely start breaking up and lower scores will be the norm.

Prop Bet wise I was looking for something around Hilton Cartwright. The Australian has been in outstanding form all season but there isn’t much on the Pick Your Punt list for him.

Therefore, give me Joe Weatherley to score 1+ Six and 3+ Fours. He’s been coming in at first drop this season and been a steadying influence to the batting lineup and loves to hit a long ball. 10/3 to me feels like a good price.

*You can pick out your own bets and place them with us on betfred.com - just check out our market page with the live Hampshire vs Nottinghamshire Odds.

Outright Winner:

I think it'll be another Somerset vs Hampshire final and I just look at how the former have charged their way to Finals Day, despite being all but done not only in the group stage but also in the Quarter Final, just gives me a feeling that it'll be their year once again.

Hampshire go into Saturday as the slight favourites at 12/5 with Somerset a touch behind at 13/5 and that feels right to me on paper. As a fan though who has been given plenty of disappointing nights at the hands of Gregory's side, I just fear they do it once again.

Give me Somerset to win it all at 13/5.