INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Sunday’s IPL games between Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
The Edge has been a professional cricket trader for over 12 years, and we are delighted to have his columns on BETDAQ Tips. He provides his best bets on a points scale between 1 and 5, with 5 being a rare max bet.
Because we see so much action in-running on cricket, he will also provide some in-running strategies that could develop in-play and lead to some excellent value bets. The Edge covers all forms of cricket: Test Matches, ODI’s and T20’s but his favourite competition is the Indian Premier League each season.
Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s crunch time in the Indian Premier League on Sunday as we have another massive double header! CSK are stuck to the bottom of the table, but Punjab need a win here after losing to Rajasthan on Friday. That meant that prior to the weekend, Punjab, Rajasthan and KKR all sat on 12 points. This will be Punjab’s last fixture, and also KKR will play their last fixture later against Rajasthan. We’re in for an excellent day of dramatic cricket!
Rajasthan gave Punjab a real beating on Friday, as it’s not often that Chris Gayle scores 99 and is not the losing side. He scored his 99 at a strike rate of 157 too, but Rajasthan knocked it off quite easily. Perhaps it highlighted an issue that we all forgot during Punjab’s five game winning streak – their bowling has been the weak link for them all season.
They now meet a CSK side who, despite sitting in last position, arrive into this fixture having won their last two games and have nothing to lose. All the pressure is on Kings XI Punjab here, and the question is, can they cope? Can the bowlers cope? Personally I can’t wait to enjoy today, and we should have some excellent markets on BETDAQ Betting Exchange
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We move back to Abu Dhabi today where the pitch has looked very good recently. On Friday, Rajasthan chased down Punjab’s 185/4 in 17.3 overs. They could have easily chased 200. In the game before that, Mumbai chased down 166/5 with ease and last Sunday Rajasthan chased down 195/5 here – although Ben Stokes was incredible there. With no dew expected in an early game, perhaps the scores might come down a little but it looks good for batting here, and it looks like you should chase. Thankfully for such a massive day, the weather is set fair.
RECOMMENDED BET:
We landed a nice bet with CSK on Thursday and I think they are worth backing again here at odds against. Of course they have issues, but they have really improved since they have had nothing to play for. Their batting has been much better, and their strike rates have improved. I fully respect the Punjab batting has it looked superb on paper – indeed their top four have been in excellent form but they do have some weak bowling that could turn the game in CSK’s favour here. I just feel CSK offer a small bit of value at the odds.
The Edge Says:
One point win Chennai Super Kings to beat Kings XI Punjab at 2.04 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQCskPjb
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I would definitely favour the side chasing here looking at the last few fixtures, however with this being an early game we will have no dew and that should have an impact. Even though we’re so late in the tournament, I would still take the opening three overs to see what the pitch is playing like. We could see another high scoring game, but I would expect batting to be a small bit tougher given the start time.
I would be keen to be against the Punjab bowling, except when MS Dhoni is batting as he has offered some nice value trades against him. He looks out of form, and way past his best – he’s definitely worth taking on. I would support the Punjab top four as they have been in excellent form; especially Chris Gayle who has been on fire since coming into the tournament. However, once the top four are out, I would switch against Punjab as their lower order hasn’t been too strong. An Interesting game awaits with plenty of opportunity!
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
MATCH OVERVIEW:
Clearly both sides will have one eye on the CSK v Kings XI Punjab game earlier in the day! But this is a massive game. Indeed if Punjab lose, games don’t come much bigger than this. Both sides are locked on 12 points but they started the day behind Punjab on net run rate. Of course if Punjab win earlier, they will have to try improve their net run rate with a massive win, but if CSK have beaten Punjab then this is a huge game in the race for the Playoffs.
KKR have been hanging around mid-table the whole tournament. They have really grinded out some wins, won close games and then impressively beat Delhi Capitals recently. Their problem for the most past has been their stars have fired. Narine came off against Delhi and they won by 59 runs. However Russell hasn’t been himself this tournament and he hasn’t won them games like he used too. Morgan has been a good captain since coming in and is playing his part, but he could do more.
Rajasthan were nowhere to be seen before Ben Stokes arrived! He is on fire now and Rajasthan have won their last two games to give themselves a fighting chance. They always needed other results to go their way, and it would be incredible if Stokes could actually get them to the Playoffs. We should have a cracking game here.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We went through a middle period where it looked like the pitches in the UAE were slowing down, but the scoring has been very good in recent games – especially in Dubai. With the games moving between three stadiums on a daily basis, perhaps that has given the groundsmen a chance to work on the wickets and get them playing well again. CSK chases KKR’s 172/5 here on Thursday, and before that we 219/2! We had a day game here yesterday and Delhi batted really poorly, but we tend to get dew in the night games and it’s a little different. I would suggest if you’re batting first that 185 should be the target. Thankfully the weather is set fair.
RECOMMENDED BET:
I have to say that it’s not a surprise to see both sides more or less 2.0 here. I favour Rajasthan at 1.99 however, as I think now is the perfect time to back them. They come into the game in good form and are finishing the tournament on a high. Ben Stokes is in flying form, and KKR are always there for the taking in my opinion. They have been very disjointed for a while, and apart from that wonderful Narine innings they have been there for the beating. Rajasthan is a quite confident selection for me.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Rajasthan Royals to beat Kolkata Knight Riders at 1.99 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQKkrRaj
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
There’s a lot of angles at play in this game. Personally, I would favour the team batting first as they should have the best batting conditions. If you can get through the first ten overs while scoring at a reasonable rate without losing wickets, then you can post a really big score here when the dew starts to fall. The boundaries are big, but we’ve had plenty of sixes.
I would be pretty keen to be on the Rajasthan batting and especially Ben Stokes given the recent form. However, the market will move massively when Stokes gets out so don’t go too heavy; he’s just in such good form! I don’t like the KKR lower order here bar Morgan – Narine has been generally poor with the bat and although he fired the other day I’d be keen to be against him. I’d expect plenty of flip flops in-running and it should be a good game for trading!
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