Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals: October 7, IPL 2021 Prediction
VS
October 7, 2021 7:30 pm
Match Predictions and Betting Odds
It is the final league encounter for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) and it could well turn out to be a virtual quarterfinal. But for that Rajasthan Royals would need to win their game against Mumbai Indians (MI).
KKR have played some excellent cricket in this UAE leg. They have won four and lost just two and even those two games which they lost were very close losses. That has put them in pole position to qualify for the playoffs. All the Eoin Morgan-led need to do is to win this game as their net run rate of +0.294 is well ahead of their other competitors (MI and RR). KKR’s top order has fired and Shubman Gill was among the runs in the last game which will please the team management. The bowling has been quite good too and it has been led by the mystery spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
On the other hand, RR received a lifeline on the back of their wonderful run-chase against Chennai Super Kings where Sanju Samson and co hunted down 190 with 15 balls to spare. Now, they need to win both their remaining encounters and that will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. RR’s top order has been superb but it is their wobbly middle order that has been a worry. Meanwhile, the bowling has been a touch inconsistent, especially the spin attack. They had made a lot of changes for the game against CSK and most of them worked. Thus, they will be looking to carry that momentum forward and make a grand finish.
The head-to-head record between these two sides is almost neck and neck. KKR are slightly ahead with 12 wins but RR have won 11 games as well. Earlier this season, it was RR who recorded a comfortable win during the India leg.
| Year | Matches | KKR | RR | Tie / NR |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2010 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2011 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – |
| 2012 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2013 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 / 1 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | 0 | – |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – |
| 2020 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 1 | – |
| TOTAL | 24 | 12 | 11 | 0 / 1 |
While the head-to-head record may not separate the two teams a lot but KKR will go into this game as favourites. They have been in magnificent form and their balance seems pretty sorted as well. Their winning odds are placed at 1.68. RR have blown hot and cold and if they can get on a roll, they could spoil KKR’s party and sneak into the playoffs. However, they will be the underdogs and have their odds placed at 1.96 to win this game.
