Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans IPL Tips: Back Titans to continue top-two surge

Click here for Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans odds
Saturday 16 April,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans IPL team news

Kolkata Knight Riders' four-game winning streak was ended by Bangalore and with that went their relaistic hopes of a play-off spot. No wins in their first six matches has meant it has been a season of two halves.

They were perhaps unlucky to come up against Bangalore in Raipur where the surface has been like kryptonite to spinners. KKR are heavily reliant on tweak and it is no coincidence that their form ticked up on more worn surfaces. Back at Eden Gardens for the first time in more than three weeks they will hope for some assistance.

Possible XI: Rahane, Allen (sub Dubey), Raghuvanshi, Green, Rinku, Powell, Pandey, Narine, Roy, Tyagi, Arora

Gujarat Titans are in the hunt for a top-two finish but they will have to keep winning. They have won five in a row, though, so will unlikely be feeling much pressure.

Jason Holder has been a big reason for their surge up the table. He has taken 13 wickets in six matches and has added ballast to the batting. Prasidh Krishna came back into the team after an absence and he has 14 wickets in eight. It is no secret that their bowling is a potent weapon. Kagiso Rabada has 21 wickets in 12.

They might get caught out with the bat but Washington Sundar is striking at 152 while Nishant Sindhu has also looked a dangerous hitter.

Possible XI: Sai, Gill, Buttler, Sindhu, Sundar, Holder, Tewatia (sub Krishna), Rashid, Arshad, Rabada, Siraj

Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans IPL pitch report

Eden Gardens has not hosted a game since 19 April so there has been plenty of time for ground staff to prepare a worn square. This should be a decent batting track after the hiatus. The run rate in IPL night matches in the last two years is 9.36 from eight matches.

But could this be a game to take a chance and go against the runs tide. High lines are open for shorting if we consider these are the two meanest bowling units in the competition. GT and KKR are Nos 1 and 2 for economy respectively, averaging 8.8 and 9.08. Those are impressive numbers in a run-laden tournament.

With Gujarat so reliable, the angle might be to take on Kolkata's runs. They are second-bottom for strike rate in the tournament. Their total match runs are pitched at 185.5 with Betfair Sportsbook at 5/61.84. We might get higher on the Exchange, however.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans match prediction

Sportsbook rate Gujarat as 8/111.73 favourites for another win and confirm KKR's season is over. On the Exchange, however, there is a significant chunk added to that price. Around 1.824/5 is available and that has to be a play.

As stated above, Gujarat are the meanest bowling team. But more importantly they are better with the bat than KKR. Their cumulative strike rate of 147 outpunches Kolkata.

Individually, too, Gujarat players catch the eye. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill ooze class while also being expert players against spin, KKR's main weapon.

As mentioned consistently, really good teams in franchise leagues go off at sub 1.705/7. Gujarat might not be considered crack just yet but they are on their way and the Sportsbook price is the correct one.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Gujarat Titans player bets

Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey are both on the radar for a late-season top-bat win. Powell is 15/28.50 and catches the eye, knowing how quickly he can catch up.

Don't rule out the possibility that this GT bowling attack makes light of the top order, meaning a rescue mission is on.

Gujarat come into this one having razed the Sunrisers batting so this line-up holds fewer fears. Pandey is 5/16.00. That's probably a bit mean but we know, historically, he busts that on win rate.

Bookmark Betting.Betfair for cricket tips on all the big games and tournaments