INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday with a recommended BETDAQ bet.


The Edge has been a professional cricket trader for over 12 years, and we are delighted to have his columns on BETDAQ Tips. He provides his best bets on a points scale between 1 and 5, with 5 being a rare max bet.

Because we see so much action in-running on cricket, he will also provide some in-running strategies that could develop in-play and lead to some excellent value bets. The Edge covers all forms of cricket: Test Matches, ODI’s and T20’s but his favourite competition is the Indian Premier League each season.


MATCH OVERVIEW:

We have an excellent fixture to look forward to in the Indian Premier League on Friday as Mumbai Indians take on Kolkata Knight Riders! As we head into another double header weekend, Mumbai will be keen to claim back top spot in the table! KKR have been the team that have grinded out wins so far in this tournament, they have won games that they shouldn’t have. While Mumbai have been very impressive, losing only twice but one of those was in a Super Over after they tied 201.

Mumbai will be pleased to have this fixture in Abu Dhabi as they have been excellent here since losing the opening game of the tournament to CSK. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, as CSK have struggled and Mumbai have been excellent. Mumbai have set some of the highest scores here, with 190+ a very rare T20 score here. They were able to chase down the 162/4 from Delhi too in their last fixture here, which is a good sign because you know you have to work hard to put KKR away.

KKR have a very talented side, but they really need Morgan and Russell to start firing with the bat if they want to try reach the Playoffs. Russell hasn’t had a big innings in a while, and they suffered a heavy defeat to RCB on Monday. They face a very difficult task today against Mumbai.


WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

As the pitches are slowing down, we might see some low scores here. Historically Abu Dhabi has been a tough place to bat, with Mumbai scoring 190+ here coming as a surprise. Of course, the pitches at the start of the tournament have been excellent for batting – but the signs are there now that scores and coming down. Pitches are becoming slower and lower, and it will be fascinating to see how the team batting first approaches today. We had 164/6 played 162/5 involving KKR at the weekend here. However that was a day game, and in the night game the next day 162/4 was chased by Mumbai. I would bat first after winning the toss and try to set 170, with anything over that being a good score. Thankfully the weather is set fair again.


RECOMMENDED BET:

Mumbai are big favourites here, but I still like them at 1.7. For me they have too much talent in their side for KKR. I respect that KKR battle hard and that they are tough to beat, but they could easily be closer to the bottom of the table bar a few last over wins. That has been their excellent effort and credit to them, but Mumbai should outclass them here. Their bowling is much better than KKR, with their batsmen in form and enjoying this ground they are worth backing at 1.7.

The Edge Says:
Two points win Mumbai Indians to beat Kolkata Knight Riders at 1.7 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange.

View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQMumKol


IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Even though Mumbai chased a decent score here last weekend, I think getting on the batting team first is the way forward when trading in-play. Of course as I noted yesterday, at the end of the day they have to bat well and deliver for your trade; but the advantage has definitely been batting first throughout the tournament. Mumbai have put up some very good scores here batting first, and with KKR bowling a little weak they can do the same again.

I would watch out for how much dew we get, and without dew we could see scores come down a lot here. In reality we will probably see very few games without dew, but it still changes the game and a par score. The Mumbai lower order have impressed me, and I would support them against the KKR bowling when given the chance.


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