There is still very little breathing room between the IPL playoff spots and the teams at the bottom of the table. A trio of teams head into the coming week on eight points just one win off fourth place.
Monday 8 May
Kolkata Knight Riders 87/100 | Punjab Kings 20/21
The Kolkata Knight Riders have a big chance to move up the table with a pair of home games through the week.
Punjab Kings will be out to move back into the playoff spots though and have threatened to build some momentum.
The Kings weren’t in action over the weekend and lost a high-scoring shootout in their last outing.
Kagiso Rabada has at times proven why Punjab spent a packet on the pacemen.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders 87/100
This should be a fairly close-run thing as the betting suggests. Slight preference, for me, goes to the home side.
Tuesday 9 May
Mumbai Indias 10/11 | Royal Challengers Bangalore 87/100
Mumbai Indians and RCB are in similar positions in the current IPL landscape with both not quite on their game.
This is something of a swing game for these teams with the winner in position to push towards the playoffs while the loser will struggle to get back on track.
Mumbai Indians pulled off a brilliant chase when they were last in action and could kick on from that.
RCB’s firepower let them down in their last outing and they need to get more from their stars.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians 10/11
Another game that could potentially be decided by razor-thin margins. I’m leaning toward the home side.
Wednesday 10 May
Chennai Super Kings 4/6 | Delhi Capitals 6/5
Chennai Super Kings will be out to cement their push for a top-two finish and deal a big blow to the hopes of the Delhi Capitals.
Despite being near the summit CSK have claimed just two wins in their last five matches.
Meanwhile, the Capitals have won four of their last five and continue to look like a side that could be dangerous in the back-end.
Bruising left-handers are at the heart of the Capitals’ hopes with David Warner and Rilee Rossouw looking ominous.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals 6/5
While the Super Kings may be betting favourites, the Capitals are red-hot at the moment. Back the away side.
Thursday 11 May
Kolkata Knight Riders | Rajasthan Royals *betting TBA
KKR face a stern test of their revival ability when they face playoff favourites Rajasthan Royals.
Jos Buttler and the Royals have been hit and miss this term but their quality cannot be discounted.
The Royals have lost their last three in a row but came close to their best in a narrow loss last time out.
KKR can turn their season around this week but could also see it fall apart altogether.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals
The Royals are a dangerous outfit and should bounce back from a poor run of results sooner rather than later. Back them to do so here.
