IPL Betting: Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kochi Tuskers Kerala

Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 06 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Sreesanth has kept things tight for Kochi

"The arrival of Chris Gayle seems to have galvanised Bangalore and after a slow start, they are tearing up the table."

Kochi are two from two and Bangalore have won their last four. A couple of the IPL's form teams go head to head in Sunday's opening match.

Bangalore
The Royal Challengers may well field an unchanged side after their demolition of Punjab on Friday. Although they have the option of bringing back batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, they are strong enough already in that department.

Kochi
Kochi have gone with a four man seam attack in their last two games but will probably go with an extra spinner in Bangalore so Ramesh Powar could be recalled.

Match Odds
The arrival of Chris Gayle seems to have galvanised Bangalore and after a slow start, they are tearing up the table. But as ever, the rule in the IPL is never take short odds about any team and the [1.56] currently available for a Bangalore win is not that tempting. Kochi are a better team away from home and have developed a reputation as giant killers. At odds of [2.52] they are worth a punt.

Top Bangalore batsman
You won't get very generous odds on Chris Gayle top scoring for Bangalore, having already racked up two centuries in four games. But their most reliable batsman is Virat Kohli, a versatile performer and a good bet at odds of [4.5] or better to top score for the home side.

Best Bet

Andrew Hughes says: Back Kochi to beat Bangalore @ 2.52

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IPL Betting: Kochi Tuskers Kerala v Delhi Daredevils

Indian Premier League - IPL / Richard O’Hagan / 29 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Mahela Jayawardene needs to ensure his Kochi side become more consistent

"This game is going to turn on whichever team recovers faster from their terrible midweek game. For Kochi the big problem is largely one of consistency."

A match between two of the bottom three sides might not look very attractive, but with both sides only a couple of wins away from the playoff places, there is plenty of value to be had...if you know where to look.

Kochi

No-one expected the two new teams to find it easy in their first IPL season. For Kochi it has been a truly Jekyll and Hyde experience, with bad losses alternating with convincing victories. In Wednesday's capitulation to Deccan they managed to hold their opponents to a score of 129-7 and still lose. They have to hope that will be the last of the weak batting performances.

Delhi

That Delhi occupy bottom spot in the entire IPL is a mystery to everyone. No side which contains the world's most feared one day batsman in Virender Sehwag should struggle, and two wins out of seven simply isn't enough for a franchise used to success.

Match Odds

This game is going to turn on whichever team recovers faster from their terrible midweek game. For Kochi the big problem is largely one of consistency. Delhi, though, seem to have no idea what their best team is, with Morne Morkel and Agit Agarkar particular looking like weak links. Without any change on Delhi's part, expect Kochi to win comfortably at odds of 2.14.

Kochi Opening Partnership odds

The game against Deccan was the first time that the opening partnership of Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene has failed. Prior to this, they had put on over 30 every time. Given the bowling problems that Delhi have had, they appear good value to make at least 40 runs at a price of [2.4]

Best Bet

Kochi Tuskers Kerala to win at 2.14

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