[kevshat]

Having decided to no bet on Wednesday I'm going to come out firing on Thursday with a bet in both matches.

10pts Delhi to beat Chennai 8/13 Boylesports

Despite losing their last match Delhi are still right in the mix in this competition. Although Chennai are on the same points as Delhi momentum is all with Sehwag's men going into this match. Delhi beat Chennai by 9 wickets in the reverse fixture and I've seen nothing to suggest a massive turnaround will take place here.

Delhi will go with the same team I'd expect. McGrath and Asif are superb opening the bowling while Yo Mahesh has been more than an adequate backup. Sehwag and Gambhir will open the batting with Shoaib Malik and AB de Villiers backing them up along with Indian internationals Manoj Tiwary and Dinesh Karthik. Farveez Maharoof looks like missing out against as Delhi have a settled side.

Chennai have problems. There's no doubt about that. They are missing Hussey and Hayden massively. Ntini has taken over their new ball bowling and he hasn't taken a wicket in the tournament yet. Dhoni has been ok with the bat without any fireworks we'd expect from him while Stephen Fleming just hasn't been at the races and neither really has Parthiv Patel which means Chennai lose too many wickets early doors. Even Murali has looked off the boil. It could be that Chennai go into this match with only 3 internationals such have they been let down by the overseas players.

Delhi are probably the best all round side in the competition while Chennai are in freefall. Kepler Wessels showed at Northants that once a rot sets in it stays for a while and it appears he's following suit with Chennai. Delhi at home in a day match where the toss shouldn't be much of a factor. I have to back them to win here.

10pts Bangalore to beat Kolkata 6/5 Boylesports

Bangalore were embarassed by Kolkata on the opening night of the IPL but both sides lineup differently to how they did that night. Kolkata, like Chennai are in freefall. They've lost their last 4 after starting the tournament so well. Bangalore are crawling along but there's been signs recently that they could be getting to grips with the competition.

Kolkata's dip in form has come since they lost Ricky Ponting, Chris Gayle (who although not playing a match would be good in the dressing room) and their top scorer Brendon McCullum. Despite missing the last three matches he's still the top scorer which says a lot. Mohammad Hafeez has had enough chances and not taken them so Salman Butt could come in for this match. Kolkata will be hoping that Australian duo David Hussey and Brad Hodge can get going. Ishant Sharma and Umar Gul should be a good new ball pairing.

Bangalore will be without Wasim Jaffer who has a hand injury. Many, like me, would believe that's a good thing but to be fair Jaffer has begun to contribute before this injury. By his own admission, Rahul Dravid is getting to grips with this format now as his innings of 66 in the last match testifies. Misbah and Cameron White pack explosives in their batting and they'll want to come to the party while Dale Steyn is causing destruction alongside Zaheer Khan wherever they go. Anil Kumble is yet to take a wicket for Bangalore but that's certain to change soon.

Despite Kolkata's comprehensive victory on the opening night I think Bangalore have the better side generally and they are starting to play some decent stuff at times now. I think on the whole they are more consistent and I think they can go to the Gardens and come away with the win.