The IPL playoffs are finally here with the Gujarat Titans taking on the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens in the first of three playoff games, referred to as Qualifier 1.
The two sides topped the league phase with Gujarat leading the way with 20 points and Rajasthan not too far behind with 18. The Sportsbook of this match will advance directly to the final.
The Titans are a newly formed side and it’s taken everyone by surprise that they’ve got going so quickly. The Royals haven’t won the IPL since fighting against the odds to win the very first edition of the competition. This is their fourth time in the playoffs since the heroics of 2008.
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On the very next day, the Lucknow Super Giants, also a new franchise, will be taking on perennial underachievers Royal Challengers Bangalore in Qualifier 2.
This game will take place at the same venue as Qualifier 1. The Sportsbook of the match will take on the loser of the Qualifier 1 for a place in the finals.
The Giants also hit 18 points like Rajasthan but had a lower net run rate. Royal Challengers Bangalore came through with 16 points despite a negative net run rate.
Royal Challengers Bangalore has made it to the last three playoffs and will be hoping to find more good fortune this time around.
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IPL Match Predictions: Gujarat Titans (-125) To Win
The Game: Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals, May 24
The Gujarat Titans weren’t at the races in their last game of the league phase against Royal Challengers Bangalore but had little to play for on the day.
They head into this tie as favorites not only because of their excellent league campaign but for also recording a convincing win against the Royals when the teams met earlier in the season.
Captain Hardik Pandya was in fine form on the day with the bat while Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers. Pandya will be hoping to lead by example once again.
The Titans defended their total 192 by 37 runs and this should give them the psychological edge heading into the tie.
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IPL Best Bets For GT vs RR
Rashid Khan (GT) & Mohammed Shami (GT) To Take A Wicket: (-125)
This should be a fairly safe bet. Both bowlers have taken 18 wickets apiece and have been quite economical. Khan has bowled at a rate of 6.95 an over while Shami has bowled at a rate of 7.77 an over.
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IPL Expert Pick For GT vs RR:
Shubman Gill (GT) & Jos Buttler (RR) Both To Score 25+ runs (+175)
Openers are crucial for any IPL team and these two have been the same for their respective teams. Buttler is the top scorer in this year’s IPL with 629 runs and hit 54 runs the last time these two sides met.
Gill didn’t have the best outing last time but has hit 403 runs in this campaign. You can expect him to add at least 25 more runs to that in this game.
IPL Match Predictions: Royal Challengers Bangalore (-105) To Win
The Game: Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, May 25
Royal Challengers Bangalore has got a playoff record to forget, having won only five of their 13 matches. This includes three finals. They’ll be desperate to break the run of bad luck and will be buoyed after beating league leader Gujarat on their way to the playoffs.
The odds weren’t in their favor with the Delhi Capitals needing a win against a hapless Mumbai Indians side but the Capitals failed and RCB has to now take advantage of this.
They also beat the Titans in their only meeting of the season. They defended their score of 181 by 18 runs and were deserved Sportsbooks. There are reasons to believe RCB has finally turned a corner and that this could be their year.
IPL Best Bets For LG vs RCB:
Josh Hazlewood & Wanindu Hasaranga To Take A Wicket (-120)
Hazlewood has only played 10 matches so far but has impressed with 15 wickets, whereas Hasaranga has been one of the stars of the tournament with 24 wickets. He needs two more to tie Purple Cap holder Yuzvendra Chahal of the Rajasthan Royals. You can’t go wrong with this bet.
IPL Expert Pick For RCB vs GT:
RCB Sportsbook Partnership 50+ Runs (+187)
If RCB is going to win this match, they’ll need Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis to repeat the events from their last league game. Kohli’s form has been in question all tournament but his last innings will give him a bit of a boost.
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