Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Rajasthan Royals finished third in the IPL regular-season standings thanks to a strong start and they now face the fast-finishing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the play-off eliminator on Wednesday, with defeat signalling the end of the road in this season's competition.

Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bengaluru betting tips and predictions

Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win - 8/11

It is hard to imagine two teams having more sharply contrasting seasons than Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Rajasthan started the season strongly, winning eight of their first nine games, but have lost their last four completed matches to stumble over the line going into the play-offs.

Their last matchup against the table-topping Kolkata Knight Riders was washed out, meaning that they had to settle for third place in the IPL table, behind Sunrisers Hyderabad only on net run-rate, and now face this eliminator against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

RCB have also had a Jekyll and Hyde season, starting with seven losses from their first eight games before winning six in a row to sneak into the play-offs at the last, courtesy of a better net run-rate than three other sides.

Led by their talisman Virat Kohli, RCB’s batting lineup has shone through in recent weeks and their average total of 197 was the highest of any team in the regular season.

By contrast, the Royals have failed to make a total above 145 in their last two outings.

The departure of Jos Buttler is a big blow for Rajasthan and replacement Tom Kohler-Cadmore may struggle to fill his sizable boots.

Buttler made a century against these opponents earlier in the season, showing the difficulty of replacing his big hitting in this side.

The Narendra Modi Stadium has not been as much of a batting paradise as other venues in this tournament but that could make the ability to make a decent total even more crucial and RCB seem to have a clear advantage in that department.

Kohli and co can continue their impressive run of form and get the better of these opponents to progress to the next stage of the play-offs.

Riyan Parag over 24.5 runs - 5/6

Despite some of the batting issues for Rajasthan Royals recently, there has been one clear standout performer for the team this season.

Riyan Parag hit the fourth-most runs in the IPL regular season, 531, despite playing just 12 innings.

The youngster has averaged 59 so far and made four half-centuries, announcing himself as one of the stars of this year’s competition.

He has also been Rajasthan’s top scorer in six of their last 12 games, including three of the last five, demonstrating his importance to his team.

Parag has made a total of more than 24.5 in six of his last eight appearances and is fancied to go over that line again in this eliminator.

Side with the key batsman to continue his breakout season with a considerable contribution to the efforts of his team.

Virat Kohli - Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Top Batter - 21/10

Virat Kohli has been the best batter in the IPL this season, making 708 runs at an average of 64.36, including a knock of 113* against these opponents earlier in the season.

RCB’s talisman has been particularly effective in the powerplays this season, making 343 runs in those spells at an average of 85.75 and a rate of 9.70 runs per over.

It is no exaggeration to say that the chances of RCB winning this game are likely determined by the efforts of Kohli and he is expected to shoulder that responsibility with ease in this one.

Take Kohli to continue his domination of this year’s competition and be the top RCB batter on Wednesday. 

Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bengaluru odds

Rajasthan Royals - 11/10
Royal Challengers Bengaluru - 8/11

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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.