We've got used to seeing slow starts from the Mumbai Indians but they have at least won three of their opening games and remain in contention for a play off place at the end of the group phase. KKR meanwhile had looked a decent bet for the title with a strong and settled squad and the form of Gautam Gambhir is one reason why his team are top of the table ahead of Thursday's fixture.

It's a predictably tight market but the Knight Riders have the slight edge here and can be picked up at best odds of 1.90 with Paddy Power and Skybet to take the points. Some bookies are quoting that same figure for Mumbai but elsewhere you can get a best of 2.00 with bet365 and Ladbrokes for the reigning champions.

At the start of the competition, KKR had been relying on Gambhir to an extent but they showed some depth to their batting with that narrow win over Pune last time out. Suryakumar Yadav's 60 and Umesh Yadav's thumping six showed that it's not all about Gambhir although the skipper is favourite to top score against Mumbai at best odds of 3.40 with Paddy Power.

We haven't seen the best of Robin Uthappa as yet but the opener will attract plenty of bets at his top price of 3.75 with Paddy Power and Stan James while Suryakumar Yadav's 60 in the previous game makes him a value contender at best odds of 8.00 with Stan James - some bookies are quoting just 4.25 here so that's a great price!

For Mumbai, the 2015 winners flew out Martin Guptill as a replacement for Lendl Simmons but with Parthiv Patel showing some form, the Kiwi has hardly been used. Patel made 81 against KXIP in the previous match and starts here at a best of 5.50 with bet365 to head Mumbai's run charts on Thursday.

Rohit Sharma has also been in decent touch and starts as favourite at a top price of 3.50 with Skybet while Ambati Rayudu looks a good value tip at his best odds of 5.50 with Skybet again.

I'm still hoping that Indian fans get to see the best of Jos Buttler and the England stumper has drifted very slightly to a tempting best price of 6.50 with Skybet and BetVictor.

There's more of a gap in the Powerplay market where Mumbai look a good value pick at best odds of 2.10 with BetVictor. The Knight Riders head this at a best of 1.80 with Stan James but this looks very even and the value lies with Mumbai Indians.

It's strange then to see KKR way out in the six hitting betting at a top price of 2.62 with Paddy Power. Yes, Mumbai more some power hitting down the order but do they deserve to be as short as their best odds of 1.73 with BetVictor? If I had room for a fourth tip I would go with Kolkata here.

As for the game, I don't think the toss will be quite so important and it's just down to whichever batting unit fires on the day. It makes sense to keep Parthiv Patel in the side but I read a suggestion that Guptill should come in for Kieron Pollard and I don't think that's a bad shout.

The New Zealand opener has been breaking all records in international limited overs cricket and Mumbai need to get him in to ensure a top four finish. I'm backing Mumbai Indians anyway but I'd be happier to see Martin Guptill named in the starting XI.

My Picks
  • Back Mumbai Indians to win at 2.00 with bet365.
  • Back Robin Uthappa to top score for Kolkata Knight Riders at 3.75 with Paddy Power.
  • Back Rohit Sharma to top score for Mumbai Indians at 3.50 with Skybet

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