It is still early in the Indian Premier League but valuable points are on offer in a full weekend programme.
Friday 14 April
Kolkata Knight Riders 8/11| Sunrisers Hyderabad 21/20
After back-to-back wins for KKR, they have a huge weekend ahead of them.
Venkatesh Iyer was brilliant last time out but he has struggled for runs at Eden Gardens where the bowlers have a little more to work with early on.
The Sunrisers have just one win on the board in three matches while Mayank Markande’s one superb bowling performance remains their shining light so far.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders
Both sides won in their last outings, but home advantage could be the deciding factor.
Saturday 15 April
Royal Challengers Bangalore 5/8 | Delhi Capitals 5/4
The Delhi Capitals are still winless as they head to the Chinnaswamy but at least they can content themselves with the knowledge that RCB have struggled at home.
RCB have started slowly as well, winning only one match out of three to date although there have been encouraging individual efforts.
For the hosts Mohammed Siraj has been a big threat but a lack of form spinners have hurt their ambitions.
David Warner’s Delhi Capitals seem to be stuck in a deathroll and they need to break the habit.
Verdict: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Get on the Challengers at home.
Lucknow Super Giants 77/100 | Punjab Kings 21/20
Lucknow Super Giants can put themselves into the top of the table discussion in this match.
Punjab Kings have squandered a good start but they too could move up towards the top of the table with a win.
Shikhar Dhawan has stood tall for the Punjab Kings but there hasn’t been enough support from the other batters.
LSG have been lifted by their overseas professionals with brilliant efforts from the West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran and Kyle Mayers as well as England’s Mark Wood.
Verdict: Lucknow Super Giants
Lucknow are looking good here.
Sunday 16 April
Mumbai Indians | Kolkata Knight Riders
Odds TBA*
KKR are back in action as they repair to Mumbai with just one day’s rest in between.
The quickfire schedule might actually be an advantage for KKR if they can build a bit of momentum.
Mumbai have struggled to get going and have missed the top players that are missing from the lineup.
Sunil Narine is back to his best with the ball and could be one to watch in this game, but the Wankhede can be a tough track for wrist-spinners.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders
Get on the away side.
Gujarat Titans 4/5 | Rajasthan Royals 1/1
The weekend concludes with a blockbuster clash between two star-studded teams.
Jos Buttler has passed fifty in three of his four matches so far, and he is the banker for this Rajasthan Royals side.
The Titans are led in run-scoring by Shubman Gill, while Sai Sudharsan has also pulled his weight.
This match is also a battle between the two spinners at the top of the wicket-taking charts in the Royals’ Yuzvendra Chahal and the Titans’ Rashid Khan.
Verdict: Gujarat Titans
The defending champs should come out trumps.
