IPL Betting: Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab

Mike Hussey and MS Dhoni are the batsmen in form as table topping Chennai host the Kings XI

Six straight victories have taken Chennai to the top of the IPL table and Matt Harris expects MS Dhoni's side to extend that winning run when they host Kings XI on Thursday.

Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
Start Time: 11:30 BST
TV: Live on ITV4 and ITV.com

Chennai Super Kings
A mixed start to the tournament for CSK included a deserved defeat at the hands of lowly Pune and in a tournament where some of the top teams have struggled, it looked as if the IPL's most successful franchise might be heading for a repeat of 2012 at best - a year when they scraped into the playoffs by virtue of a high net run rate.

However, after taking four points from a possible eight in those early games, the Super Kings have won six straight matches and qualification to the knockouts is virtually guaranteed. Those victories have been anchored by Mike Hussey, who is somehow staying in touch with Chris Gayle in the race for the orange cap, but everyone is hitting form at the right time.

With Ravi Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Dwayne Bravo and Dhoni himself hitting a peak, this could be a long, hot and uncomfortable day for CSK's opponents.

Kings XI Punjab
With four wins from their opening nine matches, Kings XI remain in touch with the top four and Adam Gilchrist's side were unlucky not to claim another two points after taking Mumbai to a last ball finish earlier this week.

Gilchrist took the difficult yet logical decision to drop himself from the team in favour of Shaun Marsh and although his replacement made just 10, Kings look a stronger side and one which has an outside chance of a playoff slot.

That match with Mumbai was lost when stand-in skipper David Hussey took the ball and promptly went for 27 off the last over so he will need to be far shrewder in the face of a stronger side. Having tinkered with their team for much of this tournament, Kings look to have their best balanced starting XI and with Marsh, Hussey and David Miller forming a potent batting line up, they will start winning games again - albeit they should surrender the points here to a seemingly unstoppable CSK.

Venue and Conditions
Five games have been played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in this tournament so far and the average first innings score has been 171. Chennai like to bat second and will back themselves to chase down any total and the minimum target for anyone taking first knock should be around the 180 mark.

Temperatures should peak in the mid-thirties centigrade and there is just the merest hint of cloud cover which could assist anyone who can master the art of swinging the white ball.

Match Odds
CSK are the predictable favourites here at 1.511/2 with Kings XI right out at 2.789/5. The visitors can be an underrated side at times and with Miller and Hussey in the middle order, they have two of the best finishers in the T20 game.

Chennai could be in for one of their toughest encounters of this tournament but Dhoni's men are masters of getting over the line in nervous finishes and I expect them to claim the win.

Chennai Top Batsman
Mike Hussey's prolific form sees him installed as favourite at 3.309/4 while the outstanding price is Dhoni's 6.6011/2. The skipper is in the T20 form of his life and the only question is whether he will get in early enough to have a chance in this market.

Dhoni has to be worth a small stake but the consistent Hussey is my preferred pick.

Punjab Top Batsman
Marsh coming back into the side has seen him claim the favourite's berth at 3.259/4 but he looked a little out of touch against Mumbai following his injury lay off.

Elsewhere, David Miller is in form and a strong contender but looks a little short at 4.003/1 so I'm backing a Hussey clean sweep in the batting markets with David top scoring for Kings XI at 4.507/2.

Recommended Bet
Back Mike Hussey to top score for Chennai at 3.309/4