Northants 11/8 to tip up Lancs

The two promoted sides of last season meet for the first time back in Division One of the County Championship and it's Northamptonshire providing the better value at 11/8 to beat Lancashire at Wantage Road.

It is easy to be put off backing Northants after their hammering at Yorkshire but deeper analysis of the defeat suggests they are worth getting behind in this next round of matches. Yorkshire are one of the favourites for the title and Northants won't be the only side they streamroll this season. Back on their home patch Northants can look to the solid performance they put in against county champions Durham where they secured a pleasing draw.

Lancashire's Achilles heel this year is their batting line up - a second-innings collapse nearly opened the door for Warwickshire last week - and the handy Northants attack, including offspinner James Middlebrook who performed well against Durham, should fancy their chances. You should too with Northants 11/8, draw no bet.