Champions League T20 returns this weekend

The Champions League T20 returns for the sixth time with the tournament being hosted by India and the action gets under way on the 13th September. Featuring teams from across the world, the event will commence with qualifying matches contested between Mumbai Indians, Lahore Lions, Northern Knights and Southern Express, with two of the four teams progressing through to the main draw which will start on the 17th September.

In the qualifying round, there is one team from India, one from Pakistan, one from New Zealand and one from Sri Lanka. Mumbai Indians are strongly fancied to do well in the entire tournament and are therefore considered favourites to make it through to the main draw. Opening off with a match against Lahore Lions, Mumbai are available at 1/2 to win that game and give themselves the perfect start. Featuring some of the greatest T20 talent available, including the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Corey Anderson, Lasith Malinga, and Lendl Simmons, Mumbai certainly have the talent to go far in the competition if they can all come together and work well as a team. Due to having to play a qualifying group, the odds available for Mumbai to win the tournament are perhaps better now than they ever will be again at 9/1 with betway. In fact, having to play the qualifying group could be a blessing in disguise, meaning they will hit the ground running when the main tournament starts.

Lahore Lions on the other hand, do not have a team that comes close to that of the Mumbai Indians and will be pleased just to have gained entry to the country to take part in the qualifying group. Without a real stand out performer, Lahore are expected to struggle to make it through the qualifying group and can be backed at 2/1 to defeat the Mumbai Indians in their first game. If they can manage an upset, the confidence this will bring might carry them through to the main draw but defeat in their opening match will mean an uphill struggle to make it.

Northern Knights will be disappointed to lose key bowler Daniel Vettori due to family reasons and it will come as a blow that Corey Anderson has opted to play for Mumbai Indians. Having said that, there is still some good talent within their ranks, with bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult. The Kiwis will be looking to batsman Kane Williamson to get the runs on the board and he will have to perform if they want to progress from the group. Facing Southern Express in their opening match, Northern Knights are available at 4/6 with BetVictor to win this game, which makes them favourites over their opponents.

Southern Express are another team that has lost a key player, with Lasith Malinga choosing to represent the Mumbai Indians. This represents a very serious blow to the Sri Lankan`s chances of making it beyond the qualifying group as Malinga captained the team to victory in their domestic tournament. They will be relying on batsmen Jehan Mubarek and Farveez Maharoof to score the runs if they are to gain victory in their opening match and are outsiders to do so coming in at 5/4 with ladbrokes. If they are to stand any chance of qualifying from the group, Southern Express must win this match.

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12/09/2014     © Frixo 2024