The Sunrisers lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a comfortable win over Mumbai Indians earlier in the week but now they must face the only unbeaten team in this season's IPL. We always suspected that the new franchises would be a threat but Suresh Raina's men look on course for the play offs and they start as favourites in Rajkot on Thursday.

In fact, there is a sizeable gap in the market with the Lions ahead at a best of 1.67 with Boylesports while the Sunrisers are an outside punt at a top price of 2.38 with Stan James and Ladbrokes. David Warner is one of many batters in top form at this IPL and he can definitely swing the game in his team's favour and as we've seen, the toss could be vital here.

With so many games going to the chasing side, it will be no surprise to see whoever wins the toss electing to bat first but Warner's contribution is important either way. Having made 90 against Mumbai, the skipper is favourite to top score for SRH and you can back the Aussie at best odds of 3.00 with Skybet.

Kane Williamson is nearing fitness and is on offer here at a best price of 4.50 with Stan James and Boylesports and he could come in for Moises Henriques who is quoted at a best of 6.50 with bet365.

Shikhar Dhawan continues to struggle meanwhile but is here at his top price of 5.00 with Paddy Power and Coral while Eoin Morgan made some welcome runs earlier in the tournament and could be seen as a value option at best odds of 6.50 with Skybet and Boylesports.

Gujarat will be hoping that Aaron Finch can stay fit after several injury problems over the last two years. Having made big runs at the start of IPL9, he was in some discomfort while making 67 against Mumbai but has at least had some time to rest.

Finch is favourite to top score for the Lions at best odds of 3.50 with Skybet while opening partner Brendon McCullum continues to give the better value at a best price here of 4.33 with Paddy Power.

Expect Raina to deliver a profit at least once in this tournament so you may want to look at the skipper at his best of 4.50 with BetVictor and Stan James while Dinesh Karthik looks good at a top price of 8.00 with Skybet.

Gujarat have a great balance to their side and the key as they move through the tournament will be their bowling attack. What a line up of death bowlers they have in Bravo, Faulkner and Jadeja! There's Amit Mishra too so for the third pick, let's look at the Lions' top bowler.

Bravo is the favourite to return best figures for his side at best odds of 4.00 with Boylesports while Jadeja is next at a top price of 4.50 with Coral and BetVictor. The standouts for me however are Mishra at a best of 5.50 bet365 and Betfred and Faulkner at best odds of 5.00 with Stan James.

And that's where the key to this game will be: How will Sunrisers' batters cope with that tight Lions bowling attack? Warner is the vital wicket and once again, you may want to wait for the toss.

For me, there is enough value in that SRH price of 2.38 to take it on. Warner is in top form and while Dhawan is struggling, there is enough depth of quality to handle those bowlers and take the visitors over the line.

My Picks
  • Back Sunrisers Hyderabad to win at 2.38 with Stan James.
  • Back Brendon McCullum to top score for Gujarat Lions at 4.33 with Paddy Power.
  • Back James Faulkner to return best figures for Gujarat Lions at 5.00 with Stan James.

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