England County Championship Division One 2026: Essex vs Somerset Prediction, Match Preview

Essex will hope to make it two wins in two games when they face Somerset at the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford on Friday. The hosts won their first game this season, while the visitors managed just a draw. Who will win? Below are the team’s stats and prediction.

Essex Preview

Essex had a rough last season and had to fight relegation at one point, but they seem to be back on their feet this season, having started on an impressive note. They began this season with a win over Hampshire by an innings and 137 runs. Matthew Critchley led the team with 173 runs, and the performance of Sam Cook and Harmer, with four wickets each, contributed to the impressive start. They have started the season with a win and have remained unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions. At the moment, they sit top of the table with 22 points.

Essex Predicted XI

Dean Elgar, Paul Walter, Tom Westley (c), Wiaan Mulder, Matthew Critchley, Charlie Allison, Michael Pepper (wk), Simon Harmer, Shane Snater, Sam Cook, Jamie Porter.

Somerset Preview

Somerset began their season with a draw against Nottinghamshire, extending their winless run to three straight games, which had also run to their last two games of last season. They finished third on the table last season, and they will need to quickly bounce back to winning ways to reach that level or even exceed it. The likes of team captain Craig Overton, Joshua Thomas, and James Rew will need to be at their best to push this side to winning ways.

Somerset Predicted XI

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Joshua Thomas, Tom Lammonby, James Rew (wk), Tom Abell, Lewis Goldsworthy, Craig Overton (c), Jack Leach, Migael Pretorius, Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball

Essex vs Somerset: Key facts and Head-to-Head stats

• Essex began the season with a win and currently top the table.

• Somerset are winless this season and have not won in their last three outings.

• Somerset have won seven of their last eight games against Essex.

Essex vs Somerset Prediction

It is going to be an interesting game at the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford on Friday. Essex might have started the season with a win and have defeated Somerset in the last outing between the two sides, yet Somerset have the head-to-head dominance over them. With all the indications pointing to a win for the hosts, including the home advantage, I still have the feeling that the visitors will win here. So, my prediction is a win for Somerset at 2.16 on 1xBet.