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Royal Challengers Bengaluru must beat Chennai Super Kings and by a big enough margin to overturn the difference in net-run-rate between the two teams, which would see RCB go above them in the table.
DATE/TIME: Saturday 18th May 2024, UK – 15:00 / INDIA – 19:30 / US EST – 10:00 / US PST – 08:00
VENUE: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India
WEATHER: A chance of thunder showers across the scheduled hours of play with gusty winds
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / INDIA – Star Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Sky Go / INDIA – JioCinema App / US – Willow TV
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU FORM: MAGNIFICENT RECENT RUN HAS GIVEN RCB A SHOT
It’s now five successive victories for RCB which ultimately sees them now with a realistic shot of finishing in the play-offs, an outcome which was almost totally ruled out after they had lost seven of their first eight games.
LAST FIVE: WWWWW
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS FORM: INCONSISTENT CSK STUMBLING OVER THE FINISH LINE
Chennai Super Kings cannot seem to put any kind of winning run together at the moment, which is why they are yet to cement the play-off place which is now under threat of being snatched from underneath their nose.
LAST FIVE: WLWLW
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU BETTING ANALYSIS
Just backing Royal Challengers Bengaluru outright when considering they run of form is a move worth making. Five straight wins proves that something has clicked into place and they now look an excellent side with a strong core across all departments capable of competing in the play-offs if they make it. However, individual players also deserve a mention, not least their star batter at the top of the order.
Virat Kohli is out on his own in the race for the orange cap, boasting 661 runs in 13 innings at an average of 66.10. Class is permanent in Kohli’s case and backing the former India skipper to finish as RCB’s highest run scorer across this game has to be favoured when considering that he has passed 50 six times. Those looking for further investment opportunities through Kohli should explore also backing him to accumulate over 32.5 runs.
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS BETTING ANALYSIS
In a match of such importance, tapping into the experience of Chennai Super Kings may well prove the best option from a betting point of view. Ravindra Jadeja’s spin-bowling being one such example. After going wicketless against Rajasthan, Jadeja is expected to bounce back strongly and backing him to finish this game as CSK’s top wicket-taker is a potentially shrewd option.
When looking at the CSK batting, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad immediately stands out. Gaikwad opens for his side and has already piled up 583 runs across the tournament so far at an average of 58.30, including four half-centuries and a top score of 108 not out against Lucknow Super Giants. Back Gaikwad to continue his rich vein of form by scoring over 29.5 match runs here.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU VS CHENNAI SUPER KINGS EXPERTPREDICTION
The weather throws an added complication when it comes to this match. Royal Challengers Bengaluru will desperately want a full game played and will back themselves to extend their remarkable recent run of results by chalking up another win, one that’s big enough to get them inside the play-offs.
If RCB they are to make it past Chennai Super Kings, Virat Kolhi is expected to play a key role with the bat and backing the former India captain to score 50+ match runs on his home ground is very much worth considering, regardless of whether RCB are setting or chasing a target at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU VS CHENNAI SUPER KINGS TIP: VIRAT KOHLI TO SCORE 50+ MATCH RUNS