Middlesex odds on for promotion?

Looks virtually certain Middlesex will beat Derby on day 4 of their match as they only need 91 to win. This will them put them well ahead of challengers for second place, and still with a game in hand.

Middlesex have to play Northants twice in August - which might offer the likes of Gloucs and Surrey a chance to make up ground. But Middlesex also have to play Leics twice at the end of the season - they may well both of those matches.

I actually wonder if our (Surrey's) best chance of second place would be to hope Middlesex defeat Northants in both games and for Northants' form to fall away. Surrey still have to play Northants away, a fixture we won last season.

Probably whistling in the dark but you never know ....