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Remind me next time

Mumbai Indians have made a patchy start to their bid for a third straight Indian Premier League title, winning two and losing two of their first four games, but they will hope for a better all-round performance against Punjab Kings on Friday.

The Kings, then known as Kings XI Punjab, finished sixth out of eight in last season's IPL and their name change hasn't sparked an immediate improvement in results with three defeats in their first four outings.

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Betting Odds

Mumbai Indians to win - BET NOW

 

A second Super Over was required to decide the last meeting between these teams with Punjab eventually getting over the line in Dubai last October.

However, bookmakers rate Mumbai Indians as clear favourites at 4/7 in Chennai, despite their six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals at the same venue on Tuesday.

Mumbai's imposing batting line-up hasn't hit top gear yet in tricky conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium but their bowlers, led by ace pacemen Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult, helped them defend 150 and 152 in wins over the Sunrisers and the Knight Riders.

And they should be looking forward to a clash with the 6/4 Kings, who were bowled out for just 120 in Wednesday's nine-wicket defeat to the Sunrisers in Chennai.

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Team News

West Indies all-rounder Fabian Allen should retain his place in the Punjab 11 ahead of Australia fast bowler Riley Meredith after taking 1-22 on his IPL debut against the Sunrisers this week.

The Kings management must also decide whether to stick with veteran Chris Gayle, who has scored 76 runs at a strike-rate of just 119 in his four innings.

Mumbai spinner Jayant Yadav should get another opportunity after a solid all-round display in the defeat to Delhi. Hardik Pandya will continue to play as a specialist batsman because a shoulder problem means he is not fit enough to bowl.

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Prediction 

No fifty scored in the first innings - BET NOW

 

It is hard to argue with the match odds but one value bet could be for no fifty to be scored in the first innings of the match.

Mumbai have played all four of their games in Chennai, where batsmen have struggled to get to grips with the slow pace of the pitch, and only once has an Indians player reached a half-century: Suryakumar Yadav's 56 against Kolkata.

Punjab had their first taste of conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday when Mayank Agarwal and Shahrukh Khan were their joint-top runscorers with just 22.

Rahul Chahar to be man of the match - BET NOW

 

Punjab's poor batting performances point to a small bet on Mumbai spinner Rahul Chahar to be man of the match.

The young leggie has enjoyed his time in Chennai, claiming 4-27 against Kolkata, 3-19 against Hyderabad and 1-29 against Delhi, and he will expect to maintain his good form against the Kings.

Chahar took out the top four in the Knight Riders' batting order, including England captain Eoin Morgan, while he also dismissed three of the Sunrisers' top six and got rid of in-form Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan last time out.

There are plenty of star names ahead of Chahar in the betting but the Mumbai man could have a big role to play in a low-scoring encounter.

Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Betting Tips

1. Mumbai Indians to win - BET NOW

2. No fifty scored in the first innings - BET NOW

3. Rahul Chahar to be man of the match - BET NOW

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Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Betting Tips Betting Tips