IPL Match 39: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Prediction and Preview

With the league stage beginning to mature into its endgame, teams are scrambling to get into the top four. The last of the playoff spots is currently occupied by Kolkata Knight Riders, who recently scraped their way to 10 points after a tight win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite many such close victories, they’ve racked up the points and are now aiming to catch up with - and hopefully overtake - third-place Royal Challengers Bangalore, against whom they play their next match. RCB have improved massively since last season, and are currently threatening to even go past defending champions Mumbai Indians. Both teams need this win to cement their playoff spots, and the struggle is very real and very visceral. Before the contest gets under way, let’s take a look at the two contestants.

Kolkata Knight Riders Preview & Form

A shadow of their former glory for about 6 years now, Kolkata Knight Riders retain their popularity, but not much in the way of quality. They are currently in fourth place, but it feels like that’s more of a by-product of the failure of other teams rather than their own credit - especially since they haven’t won a single match against the top three this season. In their last game, KKR  mounted a decent 163 through a mixed team effort for SRH to chase. Despite a very strong start, the latter started to falter as has been typical of them this season, but managed to take the match into a Super Over. Lockie Ferguson was instrumental throughout the match and also in the Super Over, getting KKR a much-needed win. 

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview & Form

After getting their biggest win of the season against KKR earlier, Kohli’s men will be feeling confident about facing KKR a second time. In their previous match, they faced a hopeful Rajasthan Royals, who marched to a hefty 177 (despite Chris Morris’ best efforts) courtesy of Robin Uthappa and Steven Smith. When it was RCB’s turn to bat, however, they came back from a very slow start, and AB de Villiers’ masterful 55 off just 22 saw them win the match in the third-last ball of the match. RCB relies heavily on its star power, and those stars need to keep pumping to push them into the playoffs.

KKR vs RCB Match Prediction

Given what’s at stake, KKR’s sleeping giants must wake up to fight for their cause. Expect Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik to make it big with the bat, while Shivam Mavi and Varun Chakravarthy do the same with the ball. 

RCB can smell MI’s trail, and they won’t be slouches about getting the chase on. Expect Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to continue their carnage, while Yuzvendra Chahal and Chris Morris continue their consistency. 

Can KKR get revenge for the last meeting between these two? Or will RCB continue their rise up the ranks? Find out on Wednesday!