IPL Match Day 36: Cricket Betting Preview
Mumbai Indians host Kings XI Punjab in a crucial match in the Indian Premier League. It is crucial in the sense that a win is absolutely a must for Kings XI. There are a bit of permutations and combinations surrounding the playoffs-qualifying scenario. It is important with regards to betting perspective as well.
Kings XI have 12 points from 12 matches. Hyderabad Sunrisers have 15 from 13, Kolkata Knight Riders have 16 from 13, and Pune Supergiants have 16 from 12. That means if Kings Punjab lose against Mumbai Indians, they are out of the tournament. If Hyderabad lose their last league match, against Gujarat Lions, the Punjab side can qualify by winning this match and their final league match (which is against Pune Supergiants). If Hyderabad win against Gujarat Lions (which is very much likely to happen), Kings XI Punjab need Pune Supergiants lose against Delhi Daredevils. And then they themselves need to beat Supergiants too.
If both Hyderabad Sunrisers and Pune Supergiants win their respective next matches, Kings XI are likely to crash out, even if they win their remaining two matches. In short, Kings XI’s fate is not in their own hands. Still, they need to keep winning even to keep those hopes alive.
Mumbai Indians have already qualified for the playoffs. But they need to win one more match to ensure a top-two finish. They play against KKR in their last league game at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The Mumbai side will fancy their chances in this match rather than on that game.
Preview – Mumbai Indians
The loss against Hyderabad Sunraisers has raised questions about their batting ability. The sudden loss of form of Nitish Rane has not helped their cause. The bowling too looked a bit thin without Krunal Pandey. Karn Sharma has not managed to make the same kind of impact. Still, if Lendl Simmons, Keiron Pollard and Rohit Sharma get going, it will be all over for the Punjab side. Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah and Harbhajan Singh would enjoy bowling at the Wankhade pitch too. It is better to punt on Mumbai in cricket betting, even though Punjab will try their best to get two points out of this fixture.
Preview – Kings XI Punjab
They do not have the service of Hashim Amla and David Miller any more. They have left to South Africa. Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh and Glen Maxwell have to lead the batting line-up. Their bowling has improved, with the likes of Matt Henry, Sandeep Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Axar Patel and Rahul Tewatia forming a good combination. The big question though is this: Will that be enough to stop Mumbai Indians in their own backyard?
Our Prediction : Expect a tight fight from Kings XI Punjab. But Mumbai Indians are a side that can overcome that (check match odds here).
