Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants IPL Tips: Classy RCB too strong

Click here Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants
Wednesday 15 April,15.00
TV: Sky Sports

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants IPL team news

Bangalore are carefully managing the workload of Josh Hazlewood. After a surprise early return against Rajasthan Royals, Hazlewood sat out the next game against Mumbai Indians. Jacob Duffy took his spot.

It could be that Hazlewood will return at the first opportunity after a rest. The concern is that four overs isn't exactly strenuous in terms of workload and there is a niggle there. Duffy has taken six wickets in three matches with an RPO of more than 11.

RCB were excellent against MI. They will move Dev Paddikal down the order it appears if they're off to a strong start. Romario Shepherd is doing very little bowling and hitting at the moment. Rasikh Salam is an injury doubt.

Possible XI: Kohli, Salt, Patidar, Paddikal, Jitesh, David (Abhidnanan Singh), Shepherd, Krunal, Bhuv Kumar, Duffy/Hazlewood, Suyash

Lucknow are threatening to disappoint following defeat by Gujarat last time following a narrow win over no-hopers KKR. The signs are not good.

It might be a good idea to play players in their best positions. Nic Pooran is the obvious one. He should be in at No 3 where he has done maximum damage. They need more from the Markram-Marsh opening pair.

Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the tournament. George Linde is his replacament. Linde is durable but is not in the same class with the ball as Hasaranga.

Possible XI: Markram, Marsh, Pant, Badoni (Linde) Pooran, Samad, Choudhary, Shami, Avesh, Rathi, Prince

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants IPL pitch report

There have been 19 night matches (a healthy study sample) played at the Chinnaswamy in IPL in the last three years. The trend is for runs with an average RPO of just below ten. There is no toss bias with there being a marginal advantage in terms of run rate batting second. This is a wicket which can stay true. 

The team batting first has scored more than 190 runs ten times in the 19 games. In nine of those, the score has been more than 200. If the LSG batting, which is their strongest suit, cannot fire here then there are significant worries for them. Their total match runs quote at 5/61.84 could look cheap at 190.5. It's really not a big ask these days.

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants IPL match prediction

Bangalore are 1.645/8 which is exactly what one would expect them to be. they're at home, they're the champions and they have a chance to continue a strong start against a team which has looked flaky.

Indeed, RCB are the complete opposite of LSG and that really should make the difference. The hosts leave no stone unturned and plan for every eventuality with every player knowing thir role. LSG are more scattergun, hence the consistent changes to their top order.

Derivative wins for RCB are the order of the day, then, when they are available with Sportsbook. Odds-against for RCB to win the game and hit most sixes is the likely wager at around the 6/42.50 mark. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore v Lucknow Super Giants player tips

Josh Hazlewood, if he plays, is the bet for top RCB bowler. Currently he is the second jolly behind Duffy at 13/53.60. We're not sure that's right. It's probably a choice jolly job with these two because both won't play. It's one or ther other- Hazlewood has a win rate of 30% in IPL on the market, money back if a non-runner. For runs, Nic Pooran is overdue a top-bat win at 11/26.50. It is annnoying he's down at No 5 but new-ball potency may work in our favour here.

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