The 18th game of the Champions League T20 will also be the last one for the Group B, when the Lions play Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wanderers in Johannesburg.

This is like a virtual quarter-final as the winner of the game will go through to the semi-finals of the tournament. Although both teams, Bangalore and Lions have played three games and won one and two of them respectively, the important bit is that the net run-rate of Bangalore is far superior. Which is why if Bangalore win this one, they will be through to the knock-outs.

Given the strength of their line-up on paper, Royal Challengers Bangalore (8/15 at 888Sport) go in as favourites to win the game. But they have lost two games in a row after the initial win and will be wary of an opposition which has quietly crept up with a more-than-excellent chance of making it through to the semis. Coral offers 7/4 for a Lions win.

The Bangalore batting has failed in two successive games after their initial triumph against Guyana. They will need one of Jacques Kallis (5/2 at SkyBet) and Rahul Dravid (4/1 at Boylesports) to play through the innings – just like Dravid had done against Mumbai. But to prop up the run-rate, the likes of Cameron White (8/1 at Ladbrokes) and Ross Taylor (5/1 at Blue Square) will need to keep coming up with at least 30s and 40s in quick-time to be able to get to at least 170-180 in the match.

Robin Uthappa (5/1 at Boylesports) hasn’t had the greatest time at the number three after he had shown glimpses of being aggressive in the first match. This could be his match.

The Lions will depend on one of their two big-name players – captain Alviro Petersen (11/4 at Blue Square) or Neil McKenzie (11/2 at 888Sport) to be able to deliver the goods. Petersen has hit two successive half-centuries in the tournament, while McKenzie looked in good touch against Mumbai before having to rest against Guyana because of an injury. Jonathon Vandiar’s (15/4 at Blue Square) batting has fallen apart after that first knock against Mumbai, but Richard Cameron’s half-century (9/2 at 888Sport) in the previous match would have given the side hope for the middle-order.

Tips:
Favourites: Royal Challengers Bangalore (8/15 at 888Sport)
Top Bangalore batsman: Robin Uthappa (5/1 at Boylesports)
Top Lions batsman: Neil McKenzie (11/2 at 888Sport)