GL Vs RCB IPL 2016 Qualifier 1 Preview and Prediction

If Royal Challengers Bangalore Bat First

Predicted score: 190 and above

Virat Kohli has been phenomenal in this IPL. The orange cap holder averages close to 92 and has amassed 919 runs in the tournament, making him the first choice for a top-batsman bet. With Gayle and de Villiers batting around him, RCB's top-order batting appears frightening enough to any opposition. With Rahul and Watson also exhibiting good form, Bangalore need just two big innings at the top to make it to 190 and even beyond.

Praveen Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni have been doing well for Gujarat Lions with the ball. Both picked up two wickets each in the last match against Mumbai Indians and will be expected to make early inroads in RCB's batting lineup. Dwayne Bravo has taken 15 wickets which is the most by any GL bowler so far in this IPL. Gayle's inconsistency has been the only problem in Bangalore's batting, and if Gujarat are able to dismiss him and Kohli early, it will get tough for de Villiers and the rest to build a score of 190.

Our Prediction

Gujarat Lions began their IPL campaign in style, then fumbled in the middle stage of the tournament in the absence of Raina, and are now back on their winning ways. They have ended the league stage as the table toppers, and with a well-rounded batting and bowling attack, they are definitely a strong contender to lift this year’s trophy. However, Royal Challengers Bangalore are on a winning streak with four wins in their last five games. Plus, they had thrashed the Lions by 144 runs in their most recent meeting at this same venue. So this will give the hosts a big psychological advantage ahead of this crunch match.

Though both the teams are evenly matched, we predict Royal Challengers Bangalore to emerge victorious against Gujarat Lions on their home ground.