Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Defending IPL champions Chennai Super Kings recovered from a minor slump to hammer Sunrisers Hyderabad by 78 runs last time out and they are on course for the play-offs with five matches left to play.

Next up for the Super Kings are Punjab Kings, who are languishing in the lower reaches of the table with six defeats from nine matches.

That said, they hit a mammoth target of 262 runs to beat Kolkata Knight Riders last Friday and are not yet mathematically out of contention for the top four.

This is the first of back-to-back meetings between the sides, who meet at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday and will again collide on Sunday at the HPCA Stadium.

Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings betting tips and predictions

RD Gaikwad - Chennai Super Kings Top Batter - 13/5

From the experience of MS Dhoni to the fine form of Shivam Dube, Chennai Super Kings are blessed with some seriously talented batters in their ranks.

But none have managed to reach the level of opener and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad this season.

Gaikwad has led by example at the crease with his total of 447 runs from nine innings putting him in serious contention for the Orange Cap this season.

He heads into this match in terrific form, having scored a match-winning 98 of 54 balls against Hyderabad last time out and he is a worthwhile pick to be Chennai's top batter in this match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Gaikwad has sprung into life in his team's last few matches in particular, having preceded his knock of 98 against Hyderabad with an unbeaten 108 in their six-wicket triumph over Lucknow Super Giants.

Highest individual score to be over 77.5 - 5/6

The presence of players such as Gaikwad, Dube, Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahana suggests this could also be a high-scoring match and backing the highest individual score to be at least 78 is something for consideration.

A Chennai player has surpassed the runs line of 77.5 in each of their last two matches, while Punjab Kings also showed their class at the crease last time out.

En route to their total of 262 in Friday's win, Jonny Bairstow fire an unbeaten 108 for Punjab, while Shashank Singh finished on 68 not out.

There are plenty of explosive batter set to feature in this contest and the runs could flow.

Chennai are particularly devastating at the crease, having surpassed the 200-run mark in three of their last four IPL assignments.

Harshal Patel - Punjab Kings Top Bowler - 3/1

One player looking to keep the scores low is Punjab bowler Harshal Patel.

Patel did not have the greatest game in that eight-wicket triumph over Kolkata most recently, finishing with 1-48 off three overs.

But he has been one of the most prolific bowlers in the entire IPL this season.

In nine innings, Patel has collected 14 wickets in the franchise competition - as many as Mumbai Indians ace Jasprit Bumrah - and he could cause Chennai Super Kings problems.

Patel has already matched his wicket total from last year's IPL when at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and he is a man in form.

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Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings odds

Chennai Super Kings - 4/7
Punjab Kings - 11/8

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.