Cricket betting tips: Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Kolkata Knight Riders predictions, preview and best bets

The eagerly awaited return of the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks off this weekend, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Saturday. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet recommendation for this clash, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cricket betting tips: Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Kolkata Knight Riders Predictions

Can RCB’s Batting Firepower Overcome KKR’s Home Advantage?

• RCB have won eight of their 11 matches this season, reflecting their dominance.
• KKR have crossed the 200-run mark in two of their last three outings, showcasing their explosive potential.
• Varun Chakaravarthy’s 2/18 against CSK in their last match underlines his impact in containing top orders.

Our Best Bet

The action gets underway at 3pm UK time, promising an intense clash between two sides with contrasting forms as the tournament resumes.

RCB enter this encounter sitting comfortably in the top two of the league standings, buoyed by a four-match winning streak before the league’s temporary suspension. Led by the prolific Virat Kohli, who is in fine touch, the Bengaluru side will look to maintain their momentum as they aim for a top-of-the-table finish. Kohli’s 70-run knock in their last match against the Rajasthan Royals demonstrated his consistency, while Josh Hazlewood’s four-wicket haul further highlighted their bowling strength.

Meanwhile, KKR find themselves in a must-win situation, needing to claim both of their remaining league games to stand a chance of making the playoffs. Despite a mixed season, KKR have shown glimpses of their explosive potential, having crossed the 200-run mark in two of their last three games, driven largely by the powerful hitting of Andre Russell and the composed leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. However, their recent loss to the Chennai Super Kings, despite an impressive spell from Varun Chakaravarthy, underlines the inconsistency that has plagued their campaign.

As both sides prepare to battle at the iconic Eden Gardens, the stage is set for a high-stakes contest, with RCB aiming to extend their winning run and KKR desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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Best Bet for the Day: Each Team Over 6 Runs in Each of Their Opening 3 Overs

The standout bet for this encounter is for each team to score over six runs in each of their opening three overs. This prediction rests on a few key factors. Firstly, the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB’s home ground, has seen scores consistently exceed 200 in recent matches, indicating that the surface is ripe for aggressive batting. While this match is at Eden Gardens, a ground known for its batting-friendly pitch and short boundaries, it still favours explosive starts, especially with power hitters like Kohli, Russell, and Salt set to feature.

Moreover, RCB’s batting line-up, featuring the likes of Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Phil Salt, is built for early aggression, as evidenced by their ability to post 200-plus scores in recent matches. On the other side, KKR, despite a mixed season, have players like Russell and Rahane, who can turn the game in the early overs if they find their rhythm. With both teams looking to seize the initiative early, this bet offers solid value given the firepower on display.

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Rationale for the Bet

Backing this bet makes sense given the attacking nature of both sides’ top orders. RCB, with their potent mix of experienced and explosive batters, have consistently posted rapid starts. Kohli’s recent form, where he registered 70 off 42 balls in a high-pressure chase, highlights his intent to dominate from the outset. Meanwhile, Salt, who smashed 48 off just 14 deliveries against KKR last season, further strengthens their case for aggressive powerplay scoring.

KKR, though inconsistent, are no slouches in the early overs either. Russell remains a game-changer, and his ability to clear the ropes early can quickly shift momentum. The presence of Rahane, who has led from the front in several high-scoring games, also adds stability and firepower to their top order. Given these dynamics and the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens, a fast start seems highly probable.

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