SOMERSET can put one foot in the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with victory over Surrey in Taunton this evening (Friday).

Somerset have won all five matches since being thumped by nine wickets in a rain-affected reverse fixture at The Kia Oval, while Surrey have slipped down the table and sit fifth - one place out the qualification places - going into the rematch.

The hosts therefore go into the match full of confidence, with their most recent victory coming by six wickets in the televised match against Hampshire on Wednesday.

A place in the top two would guarantee Somerset a home quarter-final - they are currently a point clear of second-placed Gloucestershire, who have a game in hand.

Team news

Tom Banton remains absent with a dislocated finger, so Steve Davies will take the gloves against his old club.

Davies looked out of sorts with the bat at Hampshire in making a scratchy six but will relish the chance to find form and show his former employees what they are missing.

The squad is therefore unchanged from Wednesday's win and is as follows:

Tom Abell, Corey Anderson, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Lewis Gregory (c), James Hildreth, Johann Myburgh, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Jerome Taylor, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe and Max Waller

Surrey are without Australian power hitter Aaron Finch, who has had to return home due to a family bereavement.

Finch blasted 43 not out from 21 balls in the reverse fixture and will be a big miss to the visitors, who are also without Ollie Pope and Sam Curran, both of whom are representing England in the second Test against India at Lord's.

They do have England ODI star Jason Roy at the top of the order, while Morne Morkel and Tom Curran form part of an impressive bowling attack - Gareth Batty will resume his status as pantomime villain in Taunton after his confrontation with Peter Trego in a match between the two sides in 2013.

Surrey squad: Jade Dernbach (c), Gareth Batty, Scott Borthwick, Rory Burns, Rikki Clarke, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Nic Maddinson, Morne Morkel, Mat Pillans, Jason Roy, Jamie Smith, Mark Stoneman, Freddie van den Bergh

Head-to-head

Somerset won last year's clash in Taunton by four wickets, recovering from 47-5 to chase down the visitors' 157-6 with 10 balls to spare - James Hildreth (45*) and Craig Overton (35*) seeing the hosts home.

The year before, Johann Myburgh - who this week announced he is to retire at the end of the season - hit 86 not out as Somerset won by four wickets in the final over. They ended on 189-4 - their highest T20 score against Surrey.

Players to watch

Jamie Overton - The Somerset paceman is improving all the time in this format after an expensive start.

His best spell yet came at Hampshire on Wednesday as, varying his pace effectively throughout, he picked up 2-21 from four overs. 

Rikki Clarke - The veteran is getting better with age and has impressed with bat and ball in this year's tournament.

The 36-year-old is averaging 56 with the bat - at a strike rate of 195.35 - and has also taken 12 wickets at 21.

Tickets

Tickets remain available, with around 200 left as of yesterday - click here for more information.

The weather

It's been an overcast morning in Taunton but the forecast predicts that it will brighten up this evening, so fingers crossed!