History
Both these teams have never won the IPL title, however they have both reached the final before. In 24 clashes between these two sides before this season, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab both had won 12 matches each, so it was perfectly poised for a temporary tie-breaker. Kings XI then proceeded to beat RCB by a huge margin of 97 runs, to take a 13-12 lead in their head to head record.
Team News
RCB had a nightmare start to the tournament in contrast, being thrashed by KXIP by a mammoth 97 runs in their opening game. However, they bounced back well with impressive victories over Hyderabad and Mumbai. Virat Kohli finally delivered after 3 poor performances, and he along with the very impressive Devdutt Padikkal took RCB to glory against the Rajasthan Royals.
However, Delhi Capitals beat RCB by a huge margin after that. Kohli again hit top gear to hit a match-winning knock as RCB defeated CSK comfortably. A vintage ABD blast in the previous match got RCB another impressive victory over KKR, to put them 3rd in the table.
KXIP looked to be in incredible batting form initially. Both their openers, Rahul and Mayank have played two big innings each, including a century each as well. They have scored 200+ runs twice already, although their bowling has repeatedly failed them as RR managed to chase down the highest score in IPL history against them.
This disbalance has caused them to lost 4 matches in a row, and they are currently bottom of the table with just 1 win in 6 matches. They lost to SRH by a huge margin of 69 runs, but the performance of Pooran will be encouraging, as the over reliance on the openers has cost them so far. They suffered another heartbreak vs KKR in the previous game, as they lost by just 2 runs, after Glenn Maxwell came within inches of the boundary rope when they needed a 6 to tie the match.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
Royal Challengers Bangalore are the favourites to win the match with odds of 1.67 as per LeoVegas, which is not surprising considering they are in impeccable form of late, with 3 wins in their last 4 matches. Kings XI are struggling massively, with 6 straight defeats meaning they are rock bottom of the table with just 2 points, and are 2.20 to win this match, which is extremely unlikely.
Top Team Batsman
Captain Virat Kohli is the favourite from RCB to be the top scorer, with odds of 3.20. AB Devilliers is 3.750 to repeat his heroics from the previous match. He went berserk against the KKR bowlers with sixes all over the pitch in trademark style. Youth sensation Devdutt Padikkal has been in brilliant form and is 4.00 to be the top scorer as per LeoVegas.
After his consistent form all season, KL Rahul is the favourite to be Punjab’s top batsman, with odds of 3.00. He is followed by his opening partner Mayank Agarwal at 3.50, which is tempting as he has been in equally brilliant form. However, both of them have failed in recent matches, with only Nicholas Pooran (4.50) performing brilliantly. Chris Gayle is also an outsider at 3.75 if he plays.
Highest Opening Partnership
KXIP are favourites at 1.80 to have the highest opening partnership in this match, despite a rate poor start in their previous match. Rahul and Mayank are one of the most prolific opening pairs in the tournament, and are favourites to produce the goods again.
Top Team Bowler
Yuzvendra Chahal is the undisputed favourite to be RCB’s top bowler in this match, with odds of 3.25 after a wicket-laden tournament so far. He is followed by Christ Morris at 4.00, who finally made his much-awaited RCB debut and enjoyed a wicket-laden spell.
Mohammed Shami is the favourite to be the top bowler for Punjab at 3.50, with Cottrel at 4.00 another attractive option.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 329.5 runs in this match are 1.67, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have enough firepower to get some big scores, as only 165 per team is the required average score.
Individual Player Betting
- KL Rahul to score more than 28.5 runs has odds of 1.82 as per LeoVegas , which is a tempting bet as he would like to give a quick start to his team as always. Virat Kohli to score more than 30.5 runs has odds of 1.87, which is also a tempting bet as he would like to continue his current form.
- RCB are the favourites at 2.05 to hit the most sixes in this match. This is because ABD can single-handedly turn this bet in their favour. While KXIP are 2.10 to hit the most sixes, which can get a huge boost if Chris Gayle makes a comeback and plays this match.
- Yuzu Chahal to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.20 which is a given with his form, while Shami to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.25, which is attractive as he can snap up death-over wickets.
Our Top Betting Picks
- RCB to win the match @1.67
- KXIP to hit the most sixes @2.10
- KXIP to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.80
- Chahal to be RCB’s top wicket-taker @3.25.
