THE EDGE: The Edge previews Saturday’s IPL clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Chennai Super Kings with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Chennai Super Kings
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s crunch time at the IPL on Betdaq Betting Exchange as Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings face off on Saturday for the final playoff spot. After going to the final week of the group stage without losing a game to rain, unfortunately we’ve lost two this week! With Sunrisers Hyderabad v Gujarat Titans rained off on Thursday, Rajasthan Royals had their chance of second place improved but essentially this game becomes the biggest of the week now. The other games will just decide the top two spots; very important obviously as you get two chances of reaching the final then, but this is a do-or-die affair.
You’d have to say that it is a surprise to see RCB in this situation. Seven losses from their opening eight games left them bottom of the table – it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that they were becoming the laughing stock of this year’s IPL. Their bowling was woeful, going around the park in every game. Things have changed though, and now they have all the momentum and confidence with five straight wins. In one sense, every game has been do-or-die for them for a few weeks now! The only thing to say however is that although they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad to start this run, they then played Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals – a relatively easy fixture list given Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings have been in the bottom three.
CSK are obviously in pole position as they sit in fourth spot two points ahead of RCB, they also have a better net run rate. Not only do RCB need to win, but they have to win by 18 runs or more, or chase down a target with 11 balls to spare. A fascinating match in store.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
RCB definitely don’t want the rain that we’ve had recently – a washout would obviously end their hopes with only one point. Any rain would actually really hamper the RCB chances because they would still have to win by the same margin to catch CSK on the net run rate, but obviously the shorter than game the harder that becomes. We haven’t had the usual excellent batting conditions at Bengaluru this season – this has historically been the highest scoring IPL venue but we haven’t had massive scores by their standards this season bar one game. The first inning scores have been 176/6 (chased), 182/6 (chased), 181/5 (won), 287/3 (won), 147 all out (chased) and 187/9 (won). As you can see, scoring is still good but only one score over 200 isn’t the norm here!
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s not a surprise to see a reasonably even market here, but I have to say I was a little surprised to see RCB as the favourites at 1.91. I know they are on an excellent run, but overall CSK have been the better side this season and I would have them as the favourites. CSK came out on top when the sides met in the very first game of the tournament, and although they have been a little inconsistent lately I would still have them as the favourites here. Their bowling definitely looks stronger in my opinion and that can be the difference.
The Edge Says:
One point win Chennai Super Kings to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 2.06 on Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/RcbChe
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Usually at the Chinnaswamy you just want to look for trades on the batting side; that hasn’t exactly been the case this season. As I said above, only one score over 200 isn’t the norm here – although it fairness it was an incredible score of 287! They improved the drainage here in recent years, and maybe that is changing conditions a little. I still would mainly focus on looking for trades on the batting side – I’d definitely be happy to support the side that bats first. And while I know they have been on a good run, I’m happy to take on the RCB bowling with small stakes – as I said above their fixture list has been on the easy side; CSK can take advantage of their sloppy bowling.
