IPL Betting: Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians

Can Kieron Pollard fire the Mumbai Indians to a vital win over KKR on Wednesday?

Wednesday's game in the IPL features two strong teams who are in danger of finishing outside the playoffs and Matt Harris is expecting a tight and nervous encounter.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
Start Time: 15:30 BST
TV: Live on ITV4 and ITV.com

Kolkata Knight Riders

It had all started so well for reigning champions KKR with an opening day win against an admittedly weakened Delhi Daredevils. A four wicket haul for Sunil Narine preceded a comfortable run chase and a top four finish was surely theirs.

Since that point, accusations of complacency have emerged from some quarters but whatever the issue may be, Gautam Gambhir's men have added just two more points from five subsequent games and a place in the knockouts is really in the balance.

With Jacques Kallis and Eoin Morgan failing to build on a strong opening platform against CSK last time out, expect Brendon McCullum to be recalled with one of those names missing out but will it be enough to save Kolkata's campaign?

Mumbai Indians

Strongly fancied to claim their first IPL crown, Mumbai are also out of the play-off slots but a win in this game will keep Ricky Ponting's men in contention for the top four. 

In their last match against the Daredevils, the 'Pondulkar' opening axis was split with Dwayne Smith opening and Ponting dropping down the order. It worked to an extent with Mumbai posting a par total of 161 but ultimate defeat left more problems for the selectors.

One of the issues for Mumbai has been the failure to find a settled side and Smith could be handed a swift return to the bench, but will we finally see the first appearance in IPL 6 from Million Dollar Man Glenn Maxwell? $1m is a hefty price tag for a man to be left in the dugout.

Venue and Conditions

Eden Gardens in Kolkata has hosted three games in the tournament so far with an average first innings score of 142. However with those totals ranging from 119 to 180, it's a little hard to gauge what a par score should be.

In April 2012, teams struggled to get above 140 batting first but the minimum target should be 160 in a match with two powerful batting line ups. Temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-thirties centigrade with some cloud cover so the dew factor could be an issue late on.

Match Odds

Mumbai's better record so far sees them installed as favourites at 1.875/6 while Kolkata are the value pick at 2.0621/20. However, both camps have been so inconsistent that this is arguably the hardest game to predict in the tournament so far.

The toss could be crucial and a big score will be tough to chase but with KKR staring at an unlikely tournament exit, I expect Gambhir's side to reinforce and improve to take the points.

Kolkata Top Batsman

Questions over selection make it a tricky call but if McCullum is included, he should make an instant impact and give the return at 4.03/1 or better. Morgan looks the most vulnerable batsman if the Kiwi captain does come in but otherwise, the left hander could be a sound choice if you can get 5.59/2.

Whoever makes way, McCullum must surely come in if he is fit and after a prolific start to 2013, he looks the best bet here.

Mumbai Top Batsman

With Ponting sliding down the order, you should avoid the skipper and look elsewhere. Glenn Maxwell may be worth a punt at 8.07/1 or better but with no guarantee over his selection, the in-form Kieron Pollard is my pick - look for around 7.06/1 - and the West Indian will only need around five overs to give you a profit.

Recommended Bet
Back Kieron Pollard to top score for Mumbai at 7.06/1 or better