Click here for Lucknow Super Giants v Gujarat Titans odds
Sunday 12 April, 11.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Lucknow Super Giants v Gujarat Titans IPL Tips
A super Sunday kicks off with a contest between two curious teams. Could Lucknow and Gujarat both be flattering to deceive in IPL?
Lucknow appear to have made a strong start with two wins from three while Gujarat are buzzing after taking down the fancied Delhi Capitals. Closer inspection is required for these two, however.
It is arguable that Lucknow were fortunate to beat Kolkata last time. Instead of admiring the brilliant, youthful hitting of Mukhul Choudhary to get them out of an awful hole, one has to wonder what they were doing down there in the first place.
Chasing just 181 on a decent Eden Gardens surface, Lucknow should have bolted up against the worst team in the field in the tournament. Instead they laboured, highlighting that their batting is stacked with hitters who can be extremely flaky. Who the hell knows what Nic Pooran is going to produce for example. Or Rishabh Pant. A good team should not be 128 for seven against KKR on that pitch in the 16th over. A 21-year-old kid won't be able to save them every time.
As for Gujarat they were extremely fortunate to be beneficiaries of the dumbest play ever seen in cricket when David Miller thought it'd be easier to score two off one ball instead of one. They never looked like defending a decent score against a Delhi team which lacks power, raising serious concerns about control in the field. Gujarat also have issues in the lower order and unless one of Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill or Jos Buttler gets in they have a major worry.
So two teams which both have problems, then. Justification for GT being clear favourites ia real puzzler. The bet here and now would be Lucknow at odds-against. An expected 2.1011/10 on LSG would rank a wager.
Back LSG to beat GT
Click here for Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Sunday 12 April, 15.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports
Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Tips
This is an absolute corker from the Wankhede with the storied MI franchise taking on the champions. It has the potential to be a watershed moment for both teams.
Mumbai desperately need a win to avoid their season slumping into an inconsistent, incoherent funk. RCB, off the back of a chastening defeat by the thrusting Rajasthan Royals, would like some order returned to proceedings.
The smart money may be on RCB to deliver in a high-octane and pressured game. Despite a loss to Royals on Friday, Bangalore have been impressive and they just might have too much nous, efficiency and spirit for MI. They were undone against Royals by pure, unhindered brilliance of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Bangalore's run to the title last season was characterised by doing just enough in matches. They played an almost attritional style of T20 and it is no surprise considering that Andy Flower is their coach. There is no more organised team in IPL we suspect with each player knowing precisely his role.
Mumbai appear to be the opposite. They have world-class players and no side can trump them in ability. The problem seems to be that, individually, MI know this and they leave it to the next man to do the graft. It is possible that MI are inspired by the big ocassion and roar back after two defeats in three to remind everyone that they are contenders. But we're not betting on that considering the odds.
Over this season and last, RCB have shown they are better. So they should be shorter than the expected 2.1011/10. Having Josh Hazlewood fit again is a major boost and means their bowling now has significant menace.
Back RCB to beat MI