Delhi v Kolkata

The first thing we've got to say is what a topsy-turvy and thrilling win by our favourite side Punjab last night. They should have won, then should have lost, then should have won and then lost again. Finally they got up by a single run despite conceding 18 runs off the last over. And what a way to get the punting cash - thanks to a run out on the final ball! Let's hope we can find a less nerve-wracking way to make money on tonight's clash between Delhi and Kolkata.

Both of these sides are still in finals reckoning but the chances are (especially in the case of Kolkata) they will need to win both of their last two games to qualify. For Delhi, it's the same old story. If openers Gautum Gambhir and Virender Sehwag fire, they will probably win but if they don't there is not much batting depth in the middle order. Kolkata don't look half as menacing without the recently departed Brad Hodge or Ricky Ponting and Brendon McCullum who left before him.

The other factor in this clash is that rain is apparently in the air which makes it an even trickier affair to predict. To be honest, we are not certain which team will win this game because they look matched quite evenly. Both are reliant on a couple of big names but a host of lesser lights now the elite international players are gone. Whichever team gels best on the day will win. In our book that makes Kolkata way over the odds at better than $2.50 with several bookies. This game is pretty much a toss of the coin affair because both sides don't look chock full of class.

We think the main reason Delhi are so short with the bookies is the form of their dashing openers - but that also makes them very vulnerable should Gambhir or Sehwag go early. Glenn McGrath is another ace up Delhi's sleeve but Kolkata do have some class in Sourav Ganguly, David Hussey and bowling gem Ishant Sharma. We are not declaring Kolkata as certainties but we do think they are terrific value at $2.72 with Betfair and worth a 0.5 unit bet. The outsiders are often value in this condensed, 20-over form of the game where anything can happen. We think the market on this game should be much more even so it’s a Kolkata bet for us.

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