Royal Challengers Bangalore will seek to consolidate their position among the top four, while bottom-placed Kings XI Punjab will and end a four-match losing streak when the two sides lock horns in Wednesday's Indian Premier League match in Bengaluru.
Fourth in the points' table, Royal challengers Bangalore is coming off a 24-run defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings.
The hosts, led by Virat Kohli, are favourites to emerge victorious against Kings XI Punjab, whose chances of making the play-offs are all but over after seven defeats in nine matches.
Royal Challengers Bangalore have four wins and as many losses in nine matches they have played so far, while Kings XI Punjab remain at the bottom with four points.
The Bangalore side would like to forget their defeat against Chennai and return to winning ways at the crucial business end of the season. In fact, a loss would practically end their chances of making it to the play-offs.
They could not get past Chennai's paltry total of 148 for nine, dismissed for 124, following a horrendous batting display during which they lost seven wickets for 27 runs in 5.5 overs.
Royal Challengers have struggled to come good before their home crowd and lost three matches before pulling off victory in a 10-over-a-side match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
With the likes of the big-hitting Chris Gayle, who missed out against Chennai, A B de Villiers and Kohli in the team, the hosts can fancy their chances at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
Mandeep Singh, hero against Kolkata Knight Riders, was unfortunately run-out in the last match but he will be looking to impress once more.
De Villiers, who scored 21 in the last game, will also be eager to get a big one, which is due from his willow.
On the bowling front, Mitchell Starc has infused confidence into other Bangalore bowlers, which was reflected in the last game where David Wiese and Harshal Patel took two wickets. The Australian bowler finished with figures of three for 24 in four overs.
On the other side, Kings XI have made changes in their playing eleven, often resting Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, without much gain. Their batting is a big letdown compared to last year when they reached the final.
Virender Sehwag, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell haven't made the kind of impact they were expected to ahead of the tournament.
The Kings' bowlers too have been a huge disappointment, with pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson the biggest flop. Barring pacer Sandeep Sharma and left-arm spinner Axar Patel, their bowling never looked threatening.
