Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, with all to play for in the battle for a spot in the IPL playoffs.
As the IPL 2023 season heats up, both sides are eyeing a spot in the late-season showdown and hold an identical record on the points table — with a 5-4 win-loss ratio and sitting on 10 points.
Both are coming in off defeats, with CSK suffering two losses in a row against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), while LSG went down to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 18 runs.
Here, The Sporting News takes a look at the predictions for this match, and the best odds available in India. You can also bet on all IPL matches with Dafabet.
MORE: Bet on LSG vs CSK here in India
LSG vs CSK match prediction
LSG will be hoping to make amends quickly in front of their home fans, after failing in their 127-run chase against RCB on Monday.
However, they may have to do it without their captain. KL Rahul limped off the ground with an injury in that game that he picked up during the second over.
The LSG skipper ran the length of the field to try and stop a boundary hit by RCB opener Faf du Plessis. Unfortunately, he pulled up midway and went down on the ground in a lot of pain. As Rahul left the ground, it seemed like a serious hamstring injury.
Rahul did come out to bat at number 11, and remained not out without scoring any runs off three balls. He has notched 274 runs in nine matches so far, as his side have also struggled for any kind of consistency.
With Rahul a serious doubt, The MS Dhoni-led CSK will fancy their chances of grabbing a result against the hosts and completing a double, after winning the first fixture between these two sides by 12 runs a few weeks ago.
Prediction: CSK to win
Click the link below to bet on this match. Here are the latest odds in India:
| LSG win |
CSK win |
|
|---|---|---|
| Dafabet (India) |
2.08 | 1.79 |
LSG vs CSK match facts
- Date: Wednesday, May 3
- Time: 3:30 pm (IST)
- Location: Ekana Stadium
- Last meeting: April 3, 2023 - CSK won by 12 runs
LSG vs CSK team news
LSG will be sweating on the fitness of their captain along with key bowler Jaydev Unadkat.
Unadkat was hurt while bowling in the nets on Sunday and that has put him in severe doubt for this blockbuster.
CSK have been plagued by injuries to some of their key players this season with the likes of Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar, Mukesh Choudhary and Sisanda Magala all sidelined during the first half of the campaign.
They could be boosted by Stokes and Magala for their clash against Lucknow, but the fitness of both remains a question mark.
MORE: Ben Stokes injury news - When will the all-rounder play for CSK?
LSG vs CSK best bet
- Pick: Devon Conway over 25.5 runs
- Odds: 1.87 (Dafabet)
Devon Conway is in blistering form at the top of the CSK order, having blasted an unbeaten 92 runs during his side's loss to Punjab Kings earlier this week. Conway has scored 414 runs from his nine matches so far at an average of 59.14.
The New Zealand opener has formed an impressive partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the duo have consistently put CSK into commanding positions to post high totals.
MORE: Make your IPL 2023 predictions and win prizes with Dafabet in Premier League Mania
LSG vs CSK outside bet
- Pick: Kyle Mayers - LSG best batsman
- Odds: 4.00 (Dafabet)
Kyle Mayers' run of form was brought to a crashing halt against RCB last time out, as he departed for a duck after just two balls — but the LSG batsman is a class act and could bounce back in some style here.
The Barbadian big-hitter struck a blistering 54 off 24 balls against PBKS, and also brought up a half-century against RR with 51 off 42.
He's on 297 runs from nine matches so far this campaign, and is a decent bet to add to that tally and top score for LSG, especially if there is any sense that Rahul is carrying the effects of his injury.
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