The IPL continues to roll on with the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals setting the early pace with four wins a piece. Last years champions the Chennai Super Kings have struggled early on and find themselves in sixth position having only won two of there six opening games. The Kings XI continue to struggle as they did last year having only won one of their opening fixtures and sit at the bottom of the points table.
Kings XI Punjab VS Kolkata Knight Riders
Punjab’s miserable form from last season has continued this season as they struggle to make an impact this year and are currently sitting in last place. The Knight Riders have had a mixed start to the campaign and currently lie in fourth position.
Kings XI only win this season came against last years whipping boys the Royal Challengers Bangalore. They lost in a super over decider against Delhi Capitals in week one but since then their form has diminished and they have taken three heavy defeats in their last three matches against Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Kolkata are struggling for consistency and have been the Jekyll and Hyde team so far this season as you never know which side is going to turn up. They had good wins against Hyderabad, Rajasthan and Chennai but have also suffered comfortable defeats against both Mumbai and Delhi.
The Knight Riders will be hopeful that they can continue to add to Punjab’s woes as they have beaten them on the last three occasions that the two sides have faced each other.
The Kings XI have largely been let down by star man Glenn Maxwell who has failed to score over 15 runs in six innings so far this season. The emergence of Nicholas Pooran has been the stand out success for Punjab so far as he has scored consistently with the bat and was remarkable in their last match against Hyderabad scoring 77 off of 37 balls. In one over alone he hit four sixes and a four before being caught out. Their batting line up have not been helped by a bowling attack that has been very expensive.
The Knight Riders have lacked consistency this season and that shows having chopped and changed line ups every match that they have played. Although they now appear to have found a new opening batsman in Rahul Tripathi who lead them to victory over Chennai last time out with 81 runs from 51 balls. Their bowling attack have largely shared the wickets amongst themselves. If they can build on their victory over last seasons champions Chennai they could look to cement that play off spot.
Betting Tips
- Kolkata Knight Riders To Win – 20/29
- Pooran Top KKR Batsman – 9/2
Chennai Super Kings VS Royal Challengers Bangalore
Last seasons champions face last seasons bottom of the table side but this could be more closely contested than you would think given that the Royal Challengers are actually above the Super Kings at this stage of the season so far.
After a promising start to the season for Chennai after beating last seasons finalists the Mumbai Indians they then went on to lose their next three games in a row and have failed to win back to back games so far this season.
RCB are enjoying one of their best starts to a season for a while having won three of their opening five fixtures. All of their victories have been narrow wins which includes a super over win over Mumbai but when they have lost, they have lost badly!
This fixture has been won by the home side on the day in four of the last five times that they have met. However with no side really enjoying home advantage this season with the IPL being played abroad this could be anyone’s for the taking.
Chennai’s biggest issue could be that they have an ageing side and with the fixtures coming thick and fast they may not have the time required to recover. However they will be pleased that Shane Watson appears to have found some form having scored 50 and 83 in his last two matches.
The Royal Challengers have chopped and changed their line up a fair bit so far this season but that appears to be working for them as they have fresh legs out in the middle more often than not. This could be the key to beating an ageing side like Chennai. They are also encouraged that talisman Virat Kohli has put his woeful early form behind him and has gone on to knocks off 43 and 72 in their last two matches.
Betting Tips
- Royal Challengers Bangalore To Win – 20/27
- Highest Individual Score Over 67.5 – 5/6
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