County Championship 2025 season predictions, betting tips and odds: Somerset aiming to end Surrey's dominance

When to bet

First round of fixtures starts at 11am Friday

Best bets

Somerset to win Division One
2pts each-way 13-2 bet365

Gloucestershire to win Division Two
1pt each-way 20-1 general

Recommended Offer

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

CLAIM OFFER

18+ T&Cs apply

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

County Championship odds

Here are the latest odds for Division One of the County Championship, starting on Friday, April 4

Odds correct at time of publication - 14-1 bar

Here are the latest odds for Division Two of the County Championship, starting on Friday, April 4

Odds correct at time of publication - 11-1 bar

County Championship prediction

Surrey claimed their third consecutive County Championship Division One title last summer and they are just 5-4 to make it four in a row in 2025.

Their squad looks as strong as ever, with Matthew Fisher and New Zealander Nathan Smith bolstering a top-class pace attack led by Dan Worrall, who was born in Melbourne but is being tipped to play for England in the 2025-26 Ashes.

Surrey's 2024 triumph was not a procession, however, as Somerset slashed their lead to just eight points with a dramatic September victory over the champions at Taunton.

The Cidermen faded over the final two rounds of fixtures, also losing in the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup finals, but they should be Surrey's main challengers this time around.

Experienced all-rounders Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton are joined by England spinner Jack Leach and New Zealand paceman Matt Henry, who has proved far too good for opposing batsmen during previous county stints.

James Rew and Archie Vaughan are outstanding young cricketers and Will Smeed adds more power to a top order featuring a trio of talented Toms: Abell, Banton and Lammonby.

Last season's runners-up Hampshire must cope without star batsman James Vince, who is focusing on white-ball cricket, and Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas, who has joined Nottinghamshire.

Promoted Yorkshire have appointed Jonny Bairstow as captain and Durham should be competitive again with South Africa's David Bedingham, who scored 1,331 runs in just 11 matches last season, and exciting youngsters Ben McKinney and Daniel Hogg.

County Championship scoring system

A win is worth 16 points while eight points are awarded to each team involved in a draw or a tie. No points are awarded for a defeat although teams can earn bonus batting and bowling points over the first 110 overs of each side's first innings. A batting side scoring 450 runs receives the maximum five bonus points and a bowling team taking nine or ten wickets get the maximum three bonus points.

Lancashire head the betting for Division Two although England's record Test wicket-taker James Anderson will miss the start of the season due to a calf injury.

Middlesex have made the marquee signing of New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson but their ageing pace attack is a concern.

Northamptonshire, under former Australia coach Darren Lehmann, and Leicestershire look potential improvers – the Foxes finished fifth last season despite winning only one of their 14 matches.

At an even bigger price, though, Gloucestershire make each-way appeal with three places. Club legend Mark Alleyne coaches a side captained by Australian opener Cameron Bancroft and they can kick on after last season's shock T20 Blast success.

Gloucestershire finished only 19 points behind fourth-placed Northants in 2024 and, with a progressive pace attack and Aussie Test star Cameron Green available for the five Championship matches, they could be involved in the promotion battle. 

Read more cricket tips ...

Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians IPL predictions, betting tips and odds: Mumbai attack can restrict hosts 

Recommended Offer

4/5

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets

NEW CUSTOMER OFFER

• Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

CLAIM OFFER

18+ T&Cs apply

Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.

Click for more free bets and betting offers from the Racing Post

Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing and sports betting.