Northampton Saints have only won five of their 19 league matches this season, but that form shouldn't disguise the fact that the visitors to Bretton Gate (noon) have a star-studded line-up.
Slow left-armer bowler Richard Stemp has represented Worc
estershire and Yorkshire in his time, while batsmen Alec Swann and Neil Stanley and spinner Michael Davies have all played for Northants. Swann and Stanley have first-class centuries to their name.
Town skipper Ajaz Akhtar said: "With the talent in their side they should be up there with us challenging for the title. It's mystery why they've struggled so badly and last week they even managed to lose to Burton Latimer which was a huge shock.
"But I am sure they will be highly motivated about facing us. We hammered them in this fixture last season and we beat them very easily at their place earlier this summer.
"They won't want a hat-trick of big defeats so we will have to play at our best to get the win we need."
Town wicket-keeper Dave Lutton faces a late fitness test on the cheekbone he fractured during last weekend's win at Old Northamptonians.
And with regular understudy Paul Hillsdon now on hockey duty, 16 year-old Chris Milner is in line for a Premier Division debut.
Akhtar, who celebrates his 40th birthday with a huge post-match party after the match, added: "I wouldn't have any qualms about Chris playing. He's an excellent keeper, with a good temperament and he's a pretty useful batsman.
"I was pretty impressed with the way the whole team responded to a high-pressure match last weekend so I'm confident we have the ability and mental strength to win our final three matches."
Town are currently third in the table, 21 points behind leaders Northants Academy and 10 behind reigning champions Finedon. The top two play each other on the final day of the season.
Most of the local interest elsewhere revolves around the race for the third and final promotion spot in Cambs Division Two.
Foxton and Waresley have already clinched promotion, but four teams are within 13 points of each other in the bid for third spot including Yaxley and Khalsa, who meet on the final day of the season next weekend.
Tomorrow Yaxley host Bluntisham and Khalsa travel to another of the contenders Cambridge NCI.
LINCS play off for the Minor Counties Championship title this weekend. Lincs won the Eastern Division title and now tackle Western Division winners Berkshire at Newbury for the overall crown, over three days starting on Sunday.
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