The final stretch of the Indian Premier League is upon us, with places in the end of season finals still to be decided.
The Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings are already there and the Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders are well placed to join them.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
A win for the Knight Riders on Thursday would guarantee their place in the finals of the Indian Premier League.
In doing so it would end their closest rivals for a top four spot’s season, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore needing a win to give them a chance of extending their season.
The KKR are quite the form side, having previously lost four on the spin, they’ve since won their last five, including an eight wicket win over the second placed Chennai yesterday.
Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers will need to be at their brilliant best for Bangalore tomorrow if they are to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Bangalore are the favourites to win the game, given their incredible batting line-up, however I suggest backing KKR to make it six in a row.
Best bet: Kolkata Knight Riders @ Evens with Bet 365
Chennai Super Kings vs. Sunrisers Hyderbad
Two defeats in a row will have little impact on the Super Kings, with MS Dhoni’s side already guaranteed a place in the last four.
The Sunrisers need a win if they are to have any hope of joining them there and they will hope their recent win over Bangalore will inspire them to another victory.
Hyderbad have an explosive opening pairing in captain Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner who has impressed in recent weeks.
The pair will need to give Sunrisers another excellent platform (like the win over Bangalore) if they are to beat the pre-tournament favourites.
In a tough to call match given Chennai’s indifferent end to the season, I suggest backing Suresh Raina to be their top run scorer at 3’s.
Best bet: Suresh Raina top Chennai batsmen @ 3/1 with Bet 365
Mumbai Indians vs. Delhi Daredevils
The IPL’s two bottom sides meet in Thursday’s first match, with only Mumbai harboring hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Kevin Pietersen’s Delhi have been poor all campaign and languish bottom with just two wins from 12 matches.
Mumbai’s hopes of a final four finish may well be over before they play on Thursday, however four wins in their last six is good form.
Back Mumbai to continue their recent good run, although in the long run it may not be enough.
Best bet: Mumbai Indians @ 4/6 with Bet 365
Kings XI Punjab vs. Rajasthan Royals
Glenn Maxwell’s IPL form has been simply incredibly this year and he leads every batting chart going.
They will be in the final four having won nine of their first 11 matches and will be joined by Rajasthan if they win one of their remaining two matches.
The pressure is more on the Royals to win on Thursday and if results went against them earlier in the week they could be just one loss away from dropping out of the top four.
Back the Royals to win though, with the Kings XI already through and at short odds, the value is with Shane Watson’s side.
Best bet: Rajasthan Royals @ Evens with Bet 365
Tagged With : Indian Premier League