Both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the table and although the Group stage of any IPL is a lengthy one, Mumbai and the Sunrisers need to start stringing some wins together. Fans of the Indians may not be concerned as they always seem to start slowly but certain teams are looking strong and even at this early point, the play off places can begin to take shape.

I'd hoped that new signings Buttler and Guptill would take Mumbai over the line against Gujarat on Saturday but the Kiwi wasn't ready while the Englishman struggled on a difficult surface. I think it will be different in Monday's match although many will think Mumbai are a little short at their best win price of 1.73 with Coral.

Certainly there is value in the Sunrisers who have home advantage and can be picked up here at best odds of 2.20 with most bookies including Paddy Power and Stan James.

SRH have most concerns having plodded to 143-8 against the Knight Riders and that was never going to be enough in the face of an in-form Gautam Gambhir. It would have been good to see Eoin Morgan and Naman Ojha find some form but they really needed an explosive start from David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan which didn't materialise.

Warner remains favourite to top score for the Sunrisers on Monday and the skipper is way out in front at best odds of 3.20 with bet365.Kane Williamson is unlikely to be ready just yet so avoid his best of 4.50 with Boylesports and look instead at Shikhar Dhawan who is quoted at a top price of 4.75 with bet365.

Eoin Morgan's welcome return to form makes the left hander a good option at best odds of 7.00 with Stan James while Naman Ojha is another value pick at a best of 9.00 with Coral. Personally I'm favouring Warner to return to form but 3.20 looks a little too short here.

Instead, why not look at Mumbai Indian's top batsman market where there is just a little more in the way of value?

Rohit Sharma is out in front here at best odds of 3.50 with Boylesports while Martin Guptill is my pick at a top price of 4.00 with Boylesports again. Guptill has been breaking records in international cricket and it was amazing that no-one picked him up in the auction.

Further down the list, Jos Buttler is quoted at a best of 5.50 with bet365 and Coral while Parthiv Patel looked in good touch against Gujarat and could be a decent option at that same top price of 5.50 with Coral.

Once again there are lots of side bets and as with all the IPL9 games so far, the No Batsman to Pass 50 looks seriously good at a best price of 4.00 with bet365. However, I'd look at the most sixes option where Sunrisers give some really good value at their best odds of 2.50 with bet365.

However, I will take Mumbai at their best price of 1.83 with Boylesports - but only if Martin Guptill is included in the final XI.

As I write this, eight of the nine games at IPL9 have been won by the side batting second so should you wait for the toss to see which way to bet? Maybe, but I think Mumbai should edge it if Guptill starts. The New Zealander has been in brilliant form since the start of 2015 and he could be the difference in a batting line up where Rohit Sharma, Parthiv Patel, Jos Buttler and even Harbhajan Singh have already made runs.

My Picks:

  • Back Mumbai Indians to win at 1.73 with Coral.
  • Back Martin Guptill to top score for Mumbai Indians at 4.00 with Boylesports.
  • Back Mumbai Indians to hit the most sixes at 1.83 with Boylesports.

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