History
DC and RCB are 2 of only 3 teams to have never won the IPL title, with DC failing to even reach the final, which RCB have done multiple times. These 2 teams have faced off 24 times in total, with RCB winning 14 of those, and DC winning 9, with one match being abandoned. Last season, however, the Delhi Capitals dominated in the league and won both their matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore convincingly. They even beat them comfortably earlier this season.
Team News
The Delhi Capitals won their opening two matches to get off to the perfect start, and were top of the table before they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, they regained momentum and went on to win a hattrick of games. Their batting top order looks fairly consistent, with notable contributions from at least two of the top order batsmen in every game so far, followed by some big hitting by the likes of Stoinis and Hetmyer after them.
The bowling looks very good, however, with very economical spells by the spinners and a brilliant pace partnership between Rabada and Nortje. DC lost to MI by a narrow margin, before coming back to win brilliantly against RR. A couple of key injuries to Amit Mishra and Rishabh Pant is a very worrying sign, however, with their replacements not performing so well.
DC have won 4 of their last 6 matches, and defeated CSK by scoring 25 runs off the last over for a memorable victory. However, they lost against KXIP in disappointing fashion. They followed that up with another big defeat against KKR. And then made it 4 defeats in a row after being beaten by SRH as well as MI, with their top 4 position now in danger.
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 got RCB another impressive victory over KKR, to put them 3rd in the table. They lost to bottom of the table KXIP, but managed to retain their 3rd place in the league table. This was followed by a 22 ball blast by ABD (55*) that led RCB to an impressive win against RR. In their previous match they restricted KKR to a mere 82, and chased it down to win by 8 wickets. They lost as Chennai Super Kings cruised to a comfortable win, then followed that up with another defeat to MI. They made it 3 defeats in a row after succumbing to SRH.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
RCB are the favourites to win the match with odds of 1.80 as per LeoVegas, which is a bit surprising considering they have lost their last 3 matches. DC themselves have lost 4 matches in a row now, and are 2.00 to win this crunch match.
Top Team Batsman
Shikhar Dhawan is, as usual, the favourite to be Delhi’s top batsman in this match with odds of 3.00. He has been the top scorer for DC this season, with back to back unbeaten centuries in 2 matches, becoming the first player ever to achieve this feat. His opening partner Prithvi Shaw has odds of 4.50 despite his poor form of late, while captain Shreyas Iyer has odds of 4.00.
Captain Virat Kohli is the favourite from RCB to be the top scorer as he is now back in form, with odds of 3.25. AB Devilliers is 3.75 to finish as the top scorer again. He went berserk against the RR 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.
Highest Opening Partnership
Both these teams are equally poised @1.90 to have the highest opening partnership in this match. This is primarily because both have a fixed opening pair, who have both been prolific this season. Finch and Padikkal and Dhawan and Shaw both pairs can deliver solid starts.
Top Team Bowler
South African pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is in brilliant form of late, and is DC’s favourite to be the top bowler, at 3.00. He is also the current purple cap holder. He is followed by compatriot Nortje at 3.75, who is famous for his searing pace.
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.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 336.5 runs in this match are 1.71, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have some brilliant batsmen and are known for posting huge totals.
Individual Player Betting
- 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. Shikhar Dhawan to score more than 29.5 runs has odds of 1.87,which is arguably the safest bet in this match as he has scored back to back centuries as well as 2 more 50’s in his last 5 matches.
- DC to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.15, which is understandable as they only have Stoinis and Dhawan, who prefer the aerial route more often than not. RCB to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.00, which is understandable as they have ABD and Finch who prefer the aerial route more often than not.
- Chahal to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 2.20, which is attractive as he can snap up key middle-over wickets. Rashid to take 2 or more wickets also has odds of 2.20, which is attractive as he can bowl in the powerplay as well as death overs.
Our Top Betting Picks
- DC to win the match @2.00
- RCB to hit the most sixes @2.00
- RCB to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.90
- Rabada to be DC’s top bowler @3.00
