Northamptonshire vs Leicestershire T20BLAST Prediction, Preview, Lineups and odds: 1/6/2025

Northamptonshire is set to take on Leicestershire in the 12th match of the 2025 Vitality T20 Blast, with the contest scheduled for Sunday at the County Ground in Northampton. Both teams made winning starts to their campaigns and will look to build on that early momentum in what could be a closely contested encounter.

Northamptonshire Overview

Northamptonshire opened their tournament with a 13-run victory over Yorkshire, driven by a powerful display from their top and middle order. Justin Broad was instrumental with a blistering 67 off just 32 deliveries, including five boundaries and five sixes. His effort was complemented by captain David Willey, who added 54 from 24 balls, striking six sixes and two fours to accelerate the scoring rate.

The top order also contributed significantly, with Ricardo Vasconcelos compiling 46 from 38 balls, and Matthew Breetzke chipping in with a 16-ball 36. This collective batting effort set a strong foundation that Yorkshire was unable to overcome.

With the ball, Northamptonshire will look to continue their balanced approach. Willey, despite conceding 42 runs, picked up three key wickets. Ben Sanderson and Lloyd Pope both claimed two wickets each, playing pivotal roles in defending the total. George Scrimshaw and Liam Guthrie round out a bowling attack that will aim to maintain consistency.

The anticipated playing XI includes: Matthew Breetzke, David Willey (captain), Ricardo Vasconcelos, Saif Zaib, Ravi Bopara, Justin Broad, Lewis McManus (wicketkeeper), George Scrimshaw, Lloyd Pope, Ben Sanderson, and Liam Guthrie.

Leicestershire Overview

Leicestershire began their campaign with a five-wicket win over Derbyshire, showcasing depth in both batting and bowling. Soloman Budinger was particularly impressive, scoring a rapid 50 from just 17 deliveries, which featured six fours and four sixes. He was supported by Shan Masood, who played a steady innings with an unbeaten 45 off 35 balls to guide the chase.

The top and middle-order batting unit also includes Rishi Patel, Louis Kimber, Lewis Hill, and wicketkeeper Ben Cox, offering a blend of aggression and stability. The lineup will be looking to replicate their clean execution from the first game.

On the bowling front, Logan Van Beek led the charge with three wickets for 37 runs in four overs. He was supported by Samuel Wood, Tom Scriven, Liam Trevaskis, and Matt Salisbury, who each contributed with a wicket, showcasing a well-rounded attack.

Leicestershire’s projected XI includes: Louis Kimber (captain), Shan Masood, Lewis Hill, Rishi Patel, Soloman Budinger, Ben Cox (wicketkeeper), Liam Trevaskis, Logan van Beek, Tom Scriven, Samuel Wood, and Matt Salisbury.

Prediction

The County Ground in Northampton has historically supported high-scoring matches, with an average first innings total of around 185 across eight completed games last season. Weather conditions on match day are forecast to be partly cloudy with light wind, which should not disrupt play.

Given their familiarity with the venue and a well-balanced squad, Northamptonshire is expected to hold a slight edge over Leicestershire. With key players such as David Willey, Justin Broad, and Ben Sanderson performing strongly in the opening match, the hosts will aim to sustain that momentum and secure a second consecutive victory in front of their home crowd. Leicestershire, however, enters the contest with confidence and enough firepower to challenge the hosts, setting the stage for a competitive battle.

Prediction: Expect Northamptonshire to register a hard-fought win over Leicestershire