Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Punjab Kings in match No.34 of IPL 2025 - here are the Betway odds for the RCB vs PBKS game.

With both teams winning four of their six matches, there’s little to separate RCB and PBKS. Punjab arrive fresh off defending the lowest total in IPL history against Kolkata Knight Riders – a morale-boosting win. Meanwhile, RCB have been dominant but carry a nagging weakness: both their losses this season came at their fortress, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which will again host Friday’s high-voltage clash.

The hosts sit third in the table, with Punjab just behind in fourth. A mere +0.5 net run rate difference splits the two sides, setting the stage for a razor-thin contest.

Which star will steal the show in the humdinger?

Phil Salt has been a revelation at the top of RCB’s order, providing explosive starts – especially in run chases, where he’s racked up four consecutive fifties. This consistency explains his 4/1 odds (Betway) to be RCB’s top batter.

However, his opening partner Virat Kohli – with three half-centuries of his own – remains the bookmakers’ favourite at 15/8, thanks to his ability to anchor and dominate innings.

For Punjab, Shreyas Iyer remains the batter to watch, boasting a staggering strike rate of 204.91 while maintaining an average of 62.50. Though he had a rare blip against KKR – exposing a rare weakness – his proven ability to bounce back consistently underscores why he’s trusted to leave such failures behind. Betway’s odds (13/5) of him being PBKS’s top batter reflect this resilience.

Can RCB break their home jinx against Punjab?

Yes, RCB has suffered back-to-back defeats at home, but dismissing their home advantage would be unwise, especially given how players have now and then emphasised its impact. To counter M Chinnaswamy’s short boundaries, defensive bowling (a skill Krunal Pandya has demonstrated sporadically) is crucial.

Meanwhile, Salt’s explosive starts – tailor-made for these batting-friendly conditions – add firepower. PBKS’s recent collapse (111 all out) also exposes lingering vulnerabilities, despite their stellar win.

With Betway’s odds favouring RCB (4/5) over PBKS (1/1), the hosts enter as slight favourites to halt their skid.

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