LSG vs RR Prediction: Marsh may make hay early doors

Having won their opening four matches in the Indian Premier League, Rajasthan Royals have suffered back-to-back defeats to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders and will be seeking to stop the rot on the road against Lucknow Super Giants. For Lucknow, they have lost four of their opening six games and are already playing catch-up on those above them in the playoff race following a trio of defeats to Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings.

The Lucknow pitch generally favours the chasing side so winning the toss could be key, especially with Rajasthan’s top order having caused so much destruction already this season. Below are my LSG vs RR predictions, alongside team news and match odds, ahead of Wednesday's fixture (15:00 BST, Sky Sports Cricket).

LSG vs RR Odds

Rajasthan Royals have won four of their six IPL meetings with Lucknow Super Giants and are 8/11 to maintain that superiority, with the hosts 11/10 to respond to three straight defeats.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is 12/5 to top the scoring for Rajasthan, with Mitchell Marsh 11/4 to lead the way for Lucknow.

Team News

Lucknow’s top-scorer heading into the game is South Africa ace Aiden Markram but captain Rishabh Pant and Australian opener Mitchell Marsh provide further firepower.

Prince Yadav is LSG’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps and he should be supported by Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan.

The Royals’ top order - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Dhruv Jurel - has been their biggest strength this season and they will be looking to lead from the front.

In terms of bowling, Ravi Bishnoi has been Rajasthan's standout performer, taking 10 wickets, but the pace of Jofra Archer remains a real asset.

LSG Highest Opening Partnership @ 1/1

Lucknow have suffered three straight defeats while Rajasthan have been brought back down to earth with back-to-back losses to put a dent in the fact they had won their first four assignments.

There is big pressure on both sides to record victory and LSG may be worth backing to have the highest opening partnership.

Lucknow lost by 54 runs against Punjab Kings on Sunday but Marsh and Ayush Badoni put on a 56-run opening partnership while they put on a first-wicket stand of 32 runs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru prior to that.

Australian international Marsh looks to attack the powerplay overs and they may be able to get off to a stronger start than Rajasthan, who found themselves 9-5 against Sunrisers Hyderabad two outings ago.

Mitchell Marsh top LSG runscorer @ 11/4

Marsh is renowned as being one of the most destructive opening batsmen in white-ball cricket and recent signs suggest that he is batting himself into top form.

It has been a slow start from the Australian international but back-to-back 40-run contributions against Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru hint at a big one being just around the corner.

Marsh has scored 483 runs across his last 12 matches for LSG, operating at an average of 40.25, and he is sure to play with plenty of aggression in the first six overs.

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