Two teams in the top half of the Indian Premier League table open up a double header of action in the competition on Saturday as the leaders Gujarat Titans look to move further clear at the top of the pile when they take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
These two will be meeting for the first time in their respective histories with the Brabourne Stadium the venue for what could be an important contest for both teams. A win for Gujarat would be their eighth while Bangalore have played a game more than most other teams already and can’t afford to lose again.
Gujarat Titans
If we go on the premise that eight wins is enough to get a team into the top four at the end of the season, the Titans can secure their play-off berth with a win in this match. Equally as importantly, they would open up a four point gap on third place so they would be looking very good to give themselves two goes at reaching the final. They don’t need to worry about the table just now though. That will take care of itself if they maintain their current form.
This is a team who don’t know when they are beaten and seem to be making incredible victories a habit. Their latest win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad was one which even Houdini would have been proud of and you wonder if they are beginning to feel invincible right now. The amazing thing is that they are winning all these matches and their top order is barely making any sort of contribution. If they come to the party too Gujarat are going to be very hard to stop.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Having won five of their opening seven matches, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have lost their last two and not just lost them but been ripped apart and now only has that impacted their point tally for the competition but it has decimated their net run rate. They are definitely going to need eight wins to have any chance of qualifying for the final stage of the tournament but with that terrible run rate it might be that the need nine wins. That means three if not four wins from their last five outings.
The first thing Bangalore need to do is sort their batting out. Virat Kohli is too big a player to be dropped so they need him to find form very quickly. He isn’t the only one suffering from being out of form but his is magnetised by the position he plays and it certainly isn’t helping the Royal Challengers. Bangalore do have a decent bowling attack but they can’t do nothing when they are shot out for 68 and 115 in successive matches.
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Key Players
Given his heroics at the end of the previous game you would have to suggest that Rashid Khan is the key player for the Gujarat Titans in this match. His four overs could be vital, especially if one or two are saved for the death, while his brutal batting might be useful too.
If there is a player in the top four for the Royal Challengers Bangalore who can turn form on and off it is Glenn Maxwell and it might be that this is the time for him to just come out and attack in a best form of defence is to attack strategy. His bowling could be handy too.
Betting
It is hard to bet against the Gujarat Titans right now. When the Royal Challengers Bangalore have been shot out for 68 and 115 in their last two matches the last thing they need is arguably the best bowling attack in the competition to be standing in their way. That is exactly what they have here and not only have they got such a good bowling attack but they must really think they are unbeatable given the places and situations they have won from.
We have one side on a real high and the other while maybe not in a slump, certainly with a load of questions to answer. One big problem is that even the batters who were in form earlier in the campaign are starting to find the going a little tough. Bangalore need a really convincing showing with the bat but the tendency in teams who have been bowled out for two low scores is to play risk free cricket and that’s the last thing they need in a high scoring tournament. Plenty points in the favourite of the Gujarat Titans here and that is where my money is going too.
Tips
Back Gujarat Titans to beat Royal Challengers Bangalore for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Betfair
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