SOM vs ESS Dream11 Prediction English T20 Blast 2025, South Group Match, Team News, Pitch Report, Squad, Fantasy Teams

We move into the next South Group game in the next English T20 Blast 2025 match. The South Group table toppers, Somerset, will be in action against the last-placed Essex Eagles at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

Somerset are the current table-toppers with 8 wins and just 2 losses from 10 matches. They are heading into this contest on the back of a win over Hampshire by 4 wickets. That win has cemented their top-of-the-table position, and they would love to romp past a struggling Essex Eagles unit in this game.

On the other hand, the Essex Eagles have had a nightmare of a season. From 10 games, they have just managed a solitary win which came in their previous encounter over the Sussex Sharks. Making it to the next phase of the tournament seems to be an uphill task for them, but Essex will ride on the momentum they earned from the last win.

Let’s delve deeper into this post for the SOM vs ESS Dream11 prediction.

SOM vs ESS: Match Details

Date: 8th July 2025
Time: 11:00 PM IST
Venue: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

SOM vs ESS Head-to-Head

Matches Played: 20
ESS won: 13
SOM won: 6
No Result: 1
Tied: 0

In 20 meetings between these two sides in the Vitality T20 Blast, it’s the current table-toppers, Somerset, who have reigned supreme 13 times, whereas Essex has just 6 wins to their name. 

SOM vs ESS MLC 2025, South Group Match, Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, Pitch Report

The pitch at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton is expected to be a high-scoring surface, favoring batters throughout the innings. Known for its short square boundaries and true bounce, the venue often produces run-fests, especially in T20s. Seamers might find some early movement under overcast skies, but once the ball softens, bowlers tend to struggle unless they vary their pace cleverly. Spinners could come into play during the middle overs, particularly if the surface dries out under the lights. With an average first innings score hovering around 185–190 in recent matches, teams winning the toss may prefer to chase, banking on the dew factor and the ground’s reputation for successful run chases.

SOM vs ESS Team News and Expected Playing XI

SOM Team News

• Somerset have not released their official squad yet, suggesting they’re likely to go in with the same playing XI as their previous match.
• The explosive duo of Tom Banton and Will Smeed are expected to set the tone at the top of the order.
• Captain Tom Kohler-Cadmore typically anchors the innings at number three.
• The middle-order strength lies with experienced batters like Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, and Ben Green.
• Bowling duties will again revolve around their overseas pace trio, Riley Meredith, Craig Overton, and Matt Henry.

SOM Expected Playing XI: Tom Banton (wk), Will Smeed, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (c), Tom Abell, Sean Dickson, Tom Lammonby, Ben Green, Craig Overton, Lewis Goldsworthy, Matt Henry, Riley Meredith

ESS Team News

• Essex finally opened their account this season with a much-needed victory, and the team management is unlikely to disrupt the settled XI.
• Michael-Kyle Pepper is expected to join Paul Walter at the top to provide an explosive start.
• The middle order looks stable with the likes of Jordan Cox, Charlie Allison, and Luc Benkenstein.
• Simon Harmer, the skipper, will offer tactical depth and valuable runs down the order.
• Their bowling attack should once again be spearheaded by Pakistan international Mohammad Amir, with Sam Cook’s precision and Matt Critchley’s all-round utility.

ESS Expected Playing XI: Michael-Kyle Pepper, Paul Walter, Jordan Cox (wk), Charlie Allison, Matthew Critchley, Luc Benkenstein, Robin Das, Noah Thain, Simon Harmer (c), Sam James Cook, Mohammad Amir

Who Will Win SOM vs ESS English T20 blast?

As per the betting odds provided by most of the bettors, the current South Group table-toppers, Somerset, are tipped as the favorites to win this match.

Where to watch SOM vs ESS English T20 blast?

The all-important clash between Somerset vs Essex Eagles will take place on Tuesday, July 8, at 11:00 PM (IST). Online live streaming will take place on the Fancode App. The TV streaming for this tournament isn’t available in India.

SOM vs ESS Dream11 Fantasy Team

Wicket-keepers: Tom Banton, Michael Pepper, Jordan Cox
Batters: Will Smeed, Tom Abell, Tom Kohler-Cadmore
All-Rounders: Craig Overton, Luc Benkenstein, Matthew Critchley
Bowlers: Riley Meredith, Mohammed Amir

C/VC Options- Will Smeed, Michael Pepper, Matthew Critchley, Riley Meredith