IPL free betting preview and tips including Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals

Recommended bets: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals

2pts Lockie Ferguson top Kolkata Knight Riders bowler at 11/4

2pts Kagiso Rabada top Delhi Capitals bowler at 2/1

Saturday's double offering from the Indian Premier League sees high-flying Delhi Capitals kick off the day against a Kolkata Knight Riders outfit.

Despite suffering a shock reverse against King Punjab XI this week, the Capitals will start as warm favourites (4/6 general) and it is easy to see why given KKR's limp batting line-up was blown away by Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday.

A franchise now led by England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan and containing the likes of Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson and Andre Russell is clearly capable of much better but the latter has struggled for his best form so far this season and injury ruled him out of that latest defeat.

Should he return at the weekend, he, Morgan and Dinesh Karthik will really need to start firing with the bat while big-money signing Cummins - should he retain his spot - will be desperate to add to his dismal haul of only three wickets in the tournament so far.

Despite such high expectations, Cummins has found the going tough, though the way in which he has been used has limited his opportunities to pick up cheap wickets at the death with his role clearly defined as the man to take the new ball, often delivering three of his four overs in the powerplay.

That clearly diminishes Cummins' chances of claiming a big haul as the white new ball hasn't swung much throughout the competition and opposition sides have opted to nullify his threat as opposed to looking to take on the Australian quick.

It has been a similar case with teammate Narine whose variety and excellent control in the middle overs means batsmen often prefer to limit their risk against the West Indian spinner and wait for the slog overs.

Nevertheless, both take up a big chunk of the top KKR bowler market on Saturday at 3/1 the pair and as such, Ferguson rates must-bet material at 11/4.

As I've argued in recent weeks, pace has been the way to go when betting in these markets this year and given his role in the team, Ferguson is ideally placed to make hay as Morgan opts to save him for the later stages of opposition innings when the chances of picking up wickets is far greater.

Ferguson had to wait for his chance this year but the Kiwi announced his arrival with a brilliant three-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday before picking up two more in his match-winning Super Over.

Ferguson was then the only KKR bowler to pick up a wicket in Wednesday's defeat to RCB when coming on at the conclusion of the powerplay, immediately picking up Aaron Finch and bowling with great pace and hostility throughout.

Given his role is unlikely to change too much on Saturday, I'd very hopeful he can oblige again before layers and odds compilers catch on and shorten his odds in accordance to his role within his team.

On the same theme, I'll be sticking with fellow paceman Kagiso Rabada for top Capitals bowling honours.

Rabada was my headline bet when I previewed last Saturday's IPL action but although just missing out on that occasion, he duly made amends when picking up two wickets in a losing cause against Kings XI on Tuesday.

Rabada is currently the leading wicket-taker in IPL 2020 with his 21 scalps putting him five clear of the chasing pack and much like Ferguson, his success owes much to his excellence in the slog overs and the responsibility placed on his shoulders to deliver most of his quota in that period.

The South African quick picked up both of his wickets on Tuesday at the back-end of Kings XI's successful run chase and I see no reason why he can't keep his brilliant run of form going for the rest of the tournament. Anything around the 2/1 mark on Saturday is fair.

The day's second match sees Kings XI take on Sunrisers but unless Kane Williamson is back to fitness for the men in orange, I'd be happy to leave this one alone.

Should Williamson pull through, he should not be underestimated despite continuing to go under the radar in a format that still has a place for classical batsmen like him.

Posted at 1715 BST on 22/10/20

• Richard Mann: Lightweights pack a punch
• Richard Mann on Sam Curran's IPL success
• Richard Mann: Alex Hales and pace in the IPL
• Richard Mann on Joe Root's T20 hopes

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.