IPL 2014 Match 48 prediction: Punjab (54%) expected to defeat Mumbai (46%)
Prediction methodology
Note: Starting match 14 onwards, we are using only the data of IPL 2014 to predict the outcome of the matches of the current series.
Prediction: Punjab (54%) predicted to defeat Mumbai (46%) (Match scorecard)
The defending champions Mumbai Indians sure have had a miserable season this year. However, they are one of the only two teams to have defeated the mighty King XI Punjab when they last met in the tournament at Mumbai. That remains one of the rare high points for Mumbai in their campaign this season. They have had little luck against other opponents though, and find themselves on the brink of elimination in the tournament. If they lose this match - which our model tells us is the more likely outcome - then they are out. Even if they win all of their remaining matches, they will still need favorable results from other matches to go through to the next stage. The defending champions no more control their own destiny.
The fortunes of Kings XI Punjab have been just the opposite. They have already secured a playoff berth, and will be pushing for a top-two finish so that they get two chances for getting to the tournament finals. This team is already battle hardened. Whether it is the bowlers having to defend a modest total, or the middle-order batsmen having to score runs after the failure of the top order, this team has done it all. No team can be 100% perfect though - everyone of them have a chink in their armor, however minor it might be. For Punjab, one minor area of concern is their bowling which has been leaking a lot of runs of late. if Punjab can fix this weakness, then they will truly be an unstoppable force for the rest of the season.
Cricmetric's current prediction success rate for IPL 2014: 26/47 (55%)
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