After a thrilling 72-run victory against Somerset on Sunday, Essex sit just one point away from automatic qualification for the Royal London One-Day Cup semi-finals.
A tie, no-result or victory against Battle of the Bridge rivals Kent on Wednesday will be enough for Chris Silverwood’s side to be one step from Lord’s.
A quarter-final place has already been secured, should the Eagles not clinch top spot on Wednesday, but a semi-final spot is the prize all counties are striving for.
Top spot in the South Group will be fought out between Essex and Sunday’s opponents, Somerset, who travel to Middlesex.
Somerset will hope the Eagles slip up but with 6 wins out of 7 so far, Ryan ten Doeschate takes a side full of confidence to Canterbury.
Third spot in the group is more complicated, with four counties having the opportunity to clinch the last knockout place.
Surrey are in the ascendency and if they beat Gloucestershire in Bristol, they will qualify no matter what other results are.
Sussex Sharks host Hampshire with the winner hoping Surrey slip up against Gloucestershire but the West Country side do not achieve a better net run rate.
The situation is much simpler for the Eagles though, a win and Essex top the group.
