LSG vs KKR Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2024 match?
Earlier this season, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) beat the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the first time in four attempts. That has proven to be the difference between the two sides in the IPL 2024 points table.
KKR are two points ahead of LSG, with both teams playing 10 games each. Kolkata have an appreciable net run rate advantage, but this is a pivotal clash as far as the race for the top two goes. And with both teams in good form, having each won three of their last five outings, it becomes even more enticing.
The Ekana Stadium could throw up a few interesting challenges for the Knight Riders, whose batting lineup relies on power and nonstop aggression.
The pitches in Lucknow have been varied, but one thing has been common - none of them are belters of the kind KKR have been used to at the Eden Gardens.
In LSG's last home game, they shackled the MI batting lineup before chasing the score down in the final over. If the Super Giants can pull off something similar on Sunday, they will be in an excellent position to upstage KKR from second spot going forward.
Which team will come out on top?
IPL 2024, LSG vs KKR Win Probability: Shreyas Iyer and Co. start as favorites
Fresh off their first win over LSG, which was a comfortable one, KKR are the favorites in this encounter.
Even if Lucknow churn out a slow track, the Knight Riders have plenty of spin-bowling resources to make the most of the situation. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy have been in excellent form, and more options can be brought on off the bench.
Kolkata's real strength, though, lies in their batting. Narine and Phil Salt have set the tone in the powerplay, with the middle order following through and stepping up.
In contrast, LSG have Arshin Kulkarni opening the batting and the untested Ashton Turner in the middle order. KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran have carried them, and all three have negative matchups against the KKR spinners.
A close contest should be on the cards, with both teams having plenty of match-winners, but Shreyas Iyer and Co. will start as the favorites.
Prediction: KKR to win Match 54 of IPL 2024