IPL Tips & Predictions – Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The IPL is back and in style with the 15th Edition set to take place in India. Things are set to be a bit different this season with the addition of 2 new franchises after a massive auction earlier this year.
We will also witness a new group format that splits the 10 teams into 2 groups leading up to the playoffs.
We're excited about this new season and intrigued to see how the new format plays out.
The season kickstarts with a replay of last year's finals and this one is set to take place at the packed Wankhede Stadium in the heart of Mumbai.
We will be breaking down the best game of the week and picking some smart lines for you guys to get around, so without further ado let's get into it!
CSK vs KKR
Chennai Super Kings & Kolkata Knight Riders combine for 2 of the most successful franchises in the history of this tournament winning multiple titles each.
It will be great to kick off this season with a long-term rivalry against two top teams.
CSK are the reigning champions who get the better of KKR in the grand final last season in a closely contested high scoring contest.
This time they will lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium, which is traditionally a high score flat track, so we can expect an exciting run-fest this weekend.
The two teams have clashed 28 times and CSK have got the better of the runner-ups 18 times.
If this rivalry and their meeting in the finals last year is anything to go by, we are set for an entertaining season opener.
Team News
The start of the season is never a good time for all teams as they are usually missing a few overseas players to injuries and national commitments.
CSK will be missing two crucial players in Moeen Ali and Deepak Chahar which could be a vital factor in the way this game plays out.
This means we can expect some debuts for the yellow army in Kiwi opener Devon Conway and Indian pacer Tushar Deshpande.
On the other hand, KKR will be led by their new skipper Shreyas Iyer who is in spectacular form and will be confidently walking the squad out this weekend.
KKR will have to choose between overseas batsmen Aaron Finch and Sam Billings which will finalize their opening pair.
Betting Tips
The current odds on Stake.com have this down as a close encounter with KKR being slight favorites. We think CSK are missing a few key players and the absence of Faf Du Plessis who was their 2nd highest scorer last season.
Wankhede is a high-scoring pitch, and we think KKR can hold an advantage having a firepower middle order, so we are picking KKR to start their season with a big win.
Venkatesh Iyer has been in supreme form and will likely open the batting for KKR. He scored 4 half-centuries in 10 games maintaining a strong 41.0 average which ensured he was always dependable for the Knight Riders.
We think he will be a key factor for his team this weekend and will end up as the highest run-getter for them.
We believe this will be a high-scoring contest but none of the bowlers will be smacked so the under 20.5 highest scoring over line is a good value at @1.86.
