Royal Challengers Bangalore will be locking horns against Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator to book a place in the second qualifier. Both teams are fresh from wins in their last league game. The fact that the game will be played in Sharjah augurs well for KKR more than RCB. Here is all about RCB vs KKR Match Predictions.

RCB vs KKR Match Predictions: Form preview

Is this finally going to be RCB’s year?

It is not often that Bangalore end up qualifying for playoffs with 2 games in hand. But RCB managed to do just that this season. Their campaign got on track with a hattrick of wins in the UAE. RCB missed an opportunity to finish in the top-2 when they failed to cross the finish line against a struggling SRH. But they put that performance behind them and registered a brilliant win over table-toppers DC. RCB have all the momentum with them heading into the eliminator. But they are up against a rampaging KKR who have been the standout team in the UAE. 

KKR gunning for glory:

Kolkata Knight Riders have set the UAE leg on fire with a string of impressive performances. They have won 5 out of their 7 games here in the UAE. Their strong net run-rate helped them edge over Mumbai Indians. They will be up against RCB at Sharjah, a venue that has served them well this season. KKR look unstoppable and if Andre Russell returns to the side then the sky is the limit for this team.

RCB vs KKR: Favourites?

RCB were eliminated at the same stage last season. They will be eager to go one better this season. But they will be up against an in-form KKR who have stormed the UAE with their performance. Expect a firecracker of a game.

Which players will be match-winners in this game?

Andre Russell has a proven track against RCB. KKR will be hoping for a Russell special.

Glenn Maxwell has arguably been the MVP of the 2nd leg.

X-factor player:

AB de Villiers has a great track record against KKR.

KKR will be keen to use Sunil Narine effectively against RCB.

Probable Playing XI:

Royal Challengers Bangalore predicted XI:

Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Srikar Bharat, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmed, Daniel Christian, Kyle Jamieson/George Garton, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

Kolkata Knight Riders predicted XI:

Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik, Shakib Al Hasan/Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee, Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Mavi

What do stats say about RCB vs KKR?

RCB and KKR have played 28 IPL games against each other.

RCB has won 13 matches. KKR has won 15 games.

RCB’s highest score against KKR is 213. KKR’s highest score against RCB in 222.

RCB’s lowest score against KKR is 49. KKR’s lowest score against KKR is 84.

Pitch:

Sharjah pitch has behaved strangely. It hasn’t been a true surface. Batsmen have failed to get going. Teams will find it difficult to chase a par score in these conditions.

Weather Report:

A high of 38 degrees and a low of 28 degrees is expected. There are no chances of rain. There is a big chance of dew helping the side chasing down the score.

Ground stats:

Teams batting first have won 60% of the games at this venue. But of late owing to the dew, teams have preferred chasing at this venue. This season the average scores have come down drastically. A score of around 150+ will be challenging at Sharjah.

StumpsandBails verdict:

It is a battle between RCB’s hunger and KKR’s form. KKR are looking too strong at the moment for any team let alone RCB.

Also read: RCB Vs KKR IPL 2021, Eliminator| RCB Vs KKR Dream11 Predictions