Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Tips: Wait for in-play opportunities on RCB as they aim to hit back

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Thursday 7 May,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL team news

Lucknow Super Giants are in must-win territory but there's no guarantee five straight wins would be enough for them to make the top four. They're as good as out and they know it.

Losing to Mumbai Indians by six wickets with 228 on the board is not a great look. They at least played with freedom with the bat, something which could continue with the pressure off.

But they once again messed around with their batting order. Aiden Markram was moved to the middle order to make room for Josh Inglis, who opened. Nic Pooran found form with a six-hitting show but most players at this level would be capable of sending legside half-volleys into the stands. Spinner Digvesh Rathi was left out for Manimaran Siddharth in another surprising tactic.

Possible XI: Marsh (sub Siddharth), Inglis, Pooran, Pant, Markram, Raghuwanshi, Hinmat, Shami, Mohsin, Avesh, Prince

Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a surprise defeat by Gujarat Titans last time out. They managed to post only 155 and were beaten with 25 balls remaining.

There could be changes as a result. Jacob Bethell's not made more than 20 in three innings and it is extramely harsh on Phil Salt that he has not got his place back after recovering from injury.

Venkatesh Iyer was subbed in due to the RCB batting collapse but we ordinarily expect pacer and death expert Rasikh Salam to get a game.

Possible XI: Salt, Kohli, Patidar, Paddikal (sub Rasikh), Jitesh, David, Shepherd, Krunal, Kumar, Hazlewood, Suyash

Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL pitch report

There have been four matches played at Lucknow this season. The average run rate is 7.88. Such is the attrittional nature of the surface that we have already had one tie when LSG's 155 couldn't quite be busted against Kolkata. The highest first-innings score from those games is 164. It would be wise to reckon that bowlers should dominate again.

Lucknow's total match runs are available at 171.5 to go udner at 5/61.84. The quote looks high considering what we have seen so far. It also keeps on side a potential RCB struggle.

Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore match prediction

This should be a routine win for RCB, who are best at 1.684/6 on the Exchange. Those odds are in the the realm of a crack side. It could well be argued that they should be closer to 1.608/13 given their ability and LSG's lack of competence.

If we wait until the match is in-play there could be chances to get better odds on RCB thanks to the pitch. There could well be an overreaction on the market if the visitors were to strugggle to the 170 mark. This could well be a game when Bangalore manage to defend a low score. We have absolute faith in their bowling unit with Josh Hazlewood and Bhuv Kumar leading the way.

Crucicially they are now deploying Romario Shepherd. On more worn surfaces his variation is key. Don't be surprised to see him operating at the death, too.

To that end we will be greedy and look for 1.804/5 in-play. It would require Bangalore batting first most likely although there is a chance of a drift in the LSG powerplay. The Marsh-Inglis axis will have a go in the first six overs and it only takes a couple of hits for the market to be spooked.

Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore player bets

Virat Kohli is a batter with a 40% hit rate in IPL top bat markets. He has won three from nine. It is fair to say that he is in the win zone. Sportsbook make him an 8/52.60 chance. To take others out of the equation, Kohli is 11/102.11 to score 40. This one would be a less stressful wager.

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