Warwickshire vs Somerset 2nd Semi-Final Prediction

If Somerset Bat First

Prediction: Around 260

Batting is certainly going to be affected by the absence of their in-form batsman Mahela Jayawardene who hit an elegant hundred in the quarter-final and a fifty a match before. The team will now look to Jim Allenby to provide a good start to the innings. The skipper has 81 and 69 in his previous two outings and is a favorite to top-score in this semi-final. Peter Trego, who scored a ton in the 2014 group game against Warwickshire, will be important at no. 3. Somerset will need both Allenby and Trego to fire on Monday.

Warwickshire are likely to turn to their spinners to take wickets. Frontline spinners Jeetan Patel and Josh Poysden were both outstanding in the quarter-final with three wickets apiece. Rikki Clarke has been their best seamer with 13 wickets in the tournament. If these three bowlers from Warwickshire are able to utilize the conditions well, Somerset may not even reach 250.

Warwickshire vs Somerset Head-to-Head

Till now, Warwickshire and Somerset have come face-to-face only once since the inception of the Royal London One-Day Cup. The match was played at Edgbaston in 2014 which was won by Somerset by a whopping 117 runs. Chasing 299 for victory, Warwickshire were bowled out for just 181 in the 41st over.

Our Prediction

Somerset have exhibited terrific form this year having won six of their eight games with one loss and one tie. They are on a roll at the moment and will go into this match on the back of five consecutive wins. They will also gain confidence from the heavy defeat they had inflicted on Warwickshire in the inaugural edition.

Warwickshire will have the advantage of playing at their home ground where they have an impressive overall record of 8 wins from 10 matches. They have won all their fixtures at Edgbaston this year and seem invincible at this venue. Moreover, Somerset will be without their star batsman Jayawardene and this should work in Warwickshire's favor.

Although Somerset have won more number of matches than any other team in this year's Royal London One-Day Cup, we feel that Warwickshire stand a better chance to win this semi-final.