IPL Betting: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders

The Pressure is on Gautam Gambhir to lead KKR to a consolation victory against the Sunrisers

After correctly tipping the Sunrisers to beat Rajasthan on Friday, Matt Harris expects the Knight Riders to come away with the points in Hyderabad this weekend...

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders
Sunday 19th May, 15:30 BST
Live on ITV4 and itv.com

Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Sunrisers' future in this competition may depend on Saturday's result between Chennai and Bangalore but whatever happens, it's been an impressive campaign for this new franchise. If RCB were to lose their fixture, the men from Hyderabad will have qualified for the play offs and that's an amazing achievement for the tournament's rank outsiders.

One of the key factors in the Sunrisers' success has been their ability to turn their home ground into a fortress and only the mighty Super Kings were able to come away from here with a win. The side took some time to find it's best balance but with Shikhar Dhawan back after injury and Kumar Sangakkara on the sidelines following a loss of form, Hyderabad are at their strongest and could cause further upsets in this competition if they can make the top four.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Yusuf Pathan's controversial dismissal against Pune on Wednesday ended Kolkata's hopes of a play off place but it's no more than the defending champions deserve after a poor campaign. Yusuf was given out Obstructing the Field after making a brisk 72 and the 7 run defeat that followed means that there is nothing riding on the match for the visiting side.

Ironically, Pathan is one of the players responsible for KKR's early exit and overall there has been too much inconsistency in the middle order. Skipper Gautam Gambhir had to shoulder the run scoring responsibility in the early stages of this competition but his loss of form also led to Kolkata's ultimate elimination.

The Knight Riders' bowling has also lacked penetration but it will only take one outstanding performance on this sluggish Hyderabad pitch to claim the points on Sunday.

Venue and Conditions

Only CSK, with a huge total of 223-3 have managed to post a first innings total above 140 on this Rajiv Gandhi ground. In the remaining six games in IPL 6, Hyderabad's score of 136-9 on Friday was the highest first innings knock so anybody posting 150 first up would be confident of victory.

It's going to be a sultry and uncomfortable day in Hyderabad with temperatures edging towards the mid 40's centigrade.

Match Odds

Hyderabad's dominance on home turf sees them installed as favourites at 1.814/5 while Kolkata are a very tempting outside bet at 2.0811/10.

The Knight Riders have certainly underachieved but the Sunrisers should have already qualified for the next stage by the time this game comes along and I expect KKR to take advantage of the lacklustre home performance that results.

Top Hyderabad Batsman

Shikhar Dhawan endured a rare failure against the Royals last time out but he remains a logical favourite at around 3.412/5. Fortunately for the Sunrisers, Parthiv Patel, Cameron White and Biplab Samantray are all finding form at the right time and while they are all contenders to consider, Dhawan should give you the profit.

Top Kolkata Batsman

Pathan's threat in the middle order makes him one to take into account at 5.04/1 or better but it's hard to look beyond the favourite Gautam Gambhir at around 3.55/2.

Jacques Kallis is due at score and is tempting at 4.03/1 but a captain's innings from Gambir should claim the points and win this market.

Recommended Bet

Back Gautam Gambhir to top score for Kolkata at 3.55/2 or better.