Worcestershire Rapids Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes admits this evening's NatWest T20 Blast derby with Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston is "a massive game."
Rhodes knows the Bears will be "desperate" for revenge after their eight wicket mauling by the Rapids at New Road earlier in the month.
He is also anticipating a "lively wicket" as both sides strive for the win needed to bolster their hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals.
The Rapids are currently lying in third spot in the North Group – two points behind Lancashire and level on points with Nottinghamshire Outlaws who have a better run rate.
Birmingham are currently four points adrift of the Rapids but still have hopes of reaching the last eight.
Rhodes said: "It is a massive game and they will be up for revenge because we really gave them a mauling at Worcester.
"To be honest they will be desperate to put things right.
"I anticipate a pretty lively wicket, I think it will go through, and they will probably play a couple of their quicker bowlers.
"We will have to be ready for that and hopefully we will have a good night."
Rhodes has been involved in many memorable clashes at Edgbaston during his 30 years as a player and coach with Worcestershire.
He said: "It's a great place to go, a great atmosphere at Edgbaston when you get a full crowd, and I'm pretty sure if the weather is good we will have at least 15,000 there which will be magnificent.
"We've played a few games there where we've won and played a few games there where we've lost.
"It's a tremendous place to go and play a Twenty20 game."
