The IPL round-robin phase rounds off this weekend with plenty of places still up for grabs. The Gujarat Titans are the only team to clinch a place in the playoffs and they have also ensured they will finish in the top two. James Richardson previews.
Saturday 20 May
Delhi Capitals 5/4 | Tie 25/1 | Chennai Super Kings 67/100
The Delhi Capitals are out of the running for the playoffs now but CSK have their fate in their own hands.
Victory should be enough to clinch a place in the top two for CSK with all the benefits that holds.
The Capitals were finally able to crack 200 last time out as Rilee Rossouw eventually fired albeit a little too late.
CSK’s star batter Devon Conway is on the cusp of crossing 500 runs for the tournament proving he was a great signing.
The Chennai Super Kings – with so much more to play for here – should have more than enough to get the job done.
Kolkata Knight Riders 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Lucknow Supergiants 82/100
KKR really need the stars to align in incredible fashion for them to sneak into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow Super Giants can guarantee a playoff spot with victory and could still finish in the top two.
LSG have hit form again at the right time having lost their way through the middle of the IPL.
The Knight Riders will need a huge win to have any chance of overhauling Royal Challengers Bangalore in fourth.
The Super Giants have been better team of late and I fully expect them to grab a win here.
Sunday 21 May
Mumbai Indians 67/100 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers Hyderabad 5/4
By the start of the match the Mumbai Indians will know if a top-two finish is on the cards for them.
MI will need both CSK and LSG to lose their matches on Saturday to give them any chance of snatching a place in the Qualifier.
At the very least the possibility of putting RCB under pressure for fourth place will be in play.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad are well out of the running for the playoffs.
I’m all over the Mumbai franchise to claim the spoils here at 67/100.
Royal Challengers Bangalore 82/100 | Tie 25/1 | Gujarat Titans 21/20
Royal Challengers Bangalore will know exactly what they need to do to secure a playoff spot.
However, Virat Kohli and company will need to get some sort of result against the table-toppers who are already guaranteed a place in the Qualifier.
RCB were brilliant in their last outing, powered by a Kohli ton and could still finish in the top two, meaning they would face the Titans again on Tuesday in Chennai.
The Royal Challengers will need favours to finish second but will have their playoff fate in their own hands regardless of the other results.
If Kohli fires again I reckon RCB could scoop the win here. He looks in good touch at the minute and you wouldn’t bet against his side.
