We are back to a series of double headers in the Indian Premier League on Friday with the opening match of the first of four days of multiple matches seeing the Kolkata Knight Riders hosting the Delhi Daredevils.
The Knight Riders head into the weekend on top of the table while due to a period of inactivity Delhi have seen themselves drop down the table and start this match in on bottom of the pile which is pretty crazy.
Kolkata Knight Riders
It has been quite easy for the Knight Riders in recent times and they are looking quite an outfit as we head towards the playoffs. A win here would put eight points between them and the side in fifth and they would do well not to make the playoffs from there so they’ll be giving this one everything I’m sure.
The big reason why Kolkata are top of the table heading into the weekend is that they have shown this week alone that they can win matches whether they bat first or whether they bowl first. The last time they played at Eden Gardens they shot the Royal Challengers Bangalore out for 49 and that will have done wonders for their confidence.
Delhi Daredevils
It has been a while since we’ve seen the Delhi Daredevils. They haven’t played since Sunday when they went down to the Mumbai Indians in a match they will know they should have won but for the second time this season a small looking run chase proved to be too much for them. That is something they will need to put a stop to.
One area where they have been strong so far this season is with the ball and I don’t think that is going to change. If anything having had the better part of a week to reflect on things and put more plans together I would expect them to come out even stronger in that area. They have freshness on their side.
Team News
Kolkata Knight Riders rested Nathan Coulter-Nile on Wednesday but he is set to return to their side for this match. Darren Bravo did nothing in Pune so that is an obvious swap for the leaders.
Delhi Daredevils have signed Marlon Samuels as a replacement for Quinton de Kock but he isn’t expected in India until Saturday so this game will come too soon. They could be unchanged from the Mumbai match.
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Betting
I’m loading up with the bets for this one as I think Delhi Daredevils are in a favourable spot here. They are well rested coming into this match while Kolkata have had to get back from Pune on Wednesday night, recover and get ready to play a day match just over 36hrs after they were last on the field. That is tough.
Delhi should have won the first match between these two but an insane partnership got Kolkata over the line. I’m not so sure one of them will materialise here and with the quality of this Delhi seam attack I think they can upset the leaders on their own patch.
I don’t expect many sixes here either. Delhi aren’t the biggest hitting side in the tournament while Kolkata will do well to belt this Delhi attack around the park no matter how well they are batting. There hasn’t been more than 12 sixes on this ground all season and I’m not expecting that run to end now.
Chris Morris has had a brilliant tournament and we all saw on Thursday how he is top of the MVP standings and he could well go off with both bat and ball in this match. He will love the seaming conditions with the ball in his hand but he won’t mind the ball coming onto the bat either and if he’s in at the right time he could really make hay. 16/1 on the player of the tournament so far to be the man of the match is an obvious pick.
Yusuf Pathan put together a solid innings in Delhi when these two met and given that Kolkata’s top order could struggle against this Daredevils attack he is worth a go at 10/1. He made 59 in a rebuilding cause in Delhi and so we know he can play the long innings. If he gets the chance to do it again we could be collecting on the 10/1 that he top scores for the home side.
Tips
Back Delhi Daredevils to beat Kolkata Knight Riders for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Betfair
Back them here:
WON – Back Under 12.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
Back it here:
Back C.Morris Man of the Match for a 1/10 stake at 17.00 with Paddy Power
Back Y.Pathan Top Kolkata Knight Riders Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 with Paddy Power
Back them here:
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