INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Thursday’s IPL playoff game between Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals 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.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
After 56 matches with some absolutely thrilling action, we are down to four teams. The IPL Playoffs start on Thursday with Mumbai Indians taking on Delhi Capitals in Dubai! It’s fair to say that these two have been the best two teams in the competition, and they deserved to finish first and second. Delhi had a big wobble towards the end of the season, but they started very impressively. Obviously we all know what an advantage it is finishing in the top two, as the loser will get another chance to get into the final on Sunday when the meet the winner of the Eliminator between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Mumbai were certain of first place getting into their final game on Tuesday but they suffered a very heavy defeat to Hyderabad who were pushing for their Playoff place. I noted in my preview it would be very unwise for them to take their foot off the pedal with the Playoff so close, however they have looked a much better side than Delhi.
The sides have played twice, with two wins for Mumbai. They met towards the midpoint of their tournament when Delhi were in superb form and chased down 162/4 with relative ease in Abu Dhabi. It’s fair to say that’s when Delhi were playing their best cricket too. Then they met towards the end of the tournament here, and Mumbai hammered Delhi with a nine wicket win. Keeping Delhi down to 110/9.
We should have another good game here between two good sides, but it’s hard to see past Mumbai. I know Delhi ended their losing run against RCB to go into second, but they haven’t been as good towards the back end of the tournament and one wonders did they peak too soon.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
I think we can expect good batting conditions for the first Playoff game. We had a minor period here when it looked like the wicket was slowing down and it was getting tougher to bat on, but KKR were able to score 191/7 in the most recent game here and obviously in the game before that Mumbai kept Delhi to 110/9 – that was a day game however so we didn’t have dew. 172/5 was chased down by CSK against KKR, and I would assume 180 is par here. Perhaps with a little break and this being a Playoff, we will get a good wicket for batting so don’t rule out seeing 200+ completely. Thankfully we are set fair with the weather.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, it’s hard to see past Mumbai here. In the two games between the sides Mumbai have looked much the better side, and although they are favourites at 1.75 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange I feel that price is still worth backing. Personally I don’t think we can read too much into either teams last fixture – Mumbai had already topped the table and RCB have finished the tournament poorly too, so while Delhi did end their losing run – they definitely aren’t as good as they were at the start of the tournament. Their batsmen aren’t firing in the same way. And even then, Mumbai were able to beat them when the Delhi bowlers were at their best. I feel this will be one way traffic for Mumbai.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Mumbai Indians to beat Delhi Capitals at 1.75 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQMumDlh
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Delhi batted first and lost twice against Mumbai, so if they win the toss they might stick Mumbai in first. I feel that would be a big mistake though, as I would really fancy Mumbai to put up a big number here batting first. I’ve been very impressed with the lower order hitters from Mumbai – even losing a few early wickets hasn’t be a huge setback for them.
With the Delhi batting looking below par in their recent games, I would be keen to support the Mumbai bowlers. When they broke their losing run on Monday Delhi were only chasing 152/7 from RCB and weren’t under pressure with that score. Mumbai can put them under immense pressure like they did here on the last day in October. Apart from maybe Dhawan, who got a duck that day, I’d be keen to get against the Delhi top four. The problem for Delhi is when the top four don’t score they are really on the backfoot. Stoinis has fallen out of form after a fast start too, and he’s worth opposing.
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