RCB vs GT Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2023 match?

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will return to the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, May 21 following a long five-game road trip that has brought them to the cusp of a playoff spot.

When RCB take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final league game of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), they will know exactly what they need to qualify for the Eliminator. The Mumbai Indians (MI) vs SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) clash earlier in the day will give them a fair idea of the same.

Faf du Plessis and Co. haven't made the Chinnaswamy Stadium a fortress, with its good batting wicket and short boundaries working against a bowling attack that has struggled for consistency in IPL 2023. However, they will welcome a raucous home crowd eager to see their side make the playoffs yet again.

The defending champions, meanwhile, have already booked a Qualifier 1 date against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). They don't have much riding on the clash and can afford to shuffle a few things around, although whether they will want to break their momentum in that way is a question only time will reveal the answer to.

RCB and GT met twice last year, sharing the spoils. In their second meeting, Virat Kohli made 73 off 54 balls to take Bangalore to a comfortable eight-wicket win. He had help from Glenn Maxwell, who contribued with both bat and ball. It's no surprise that these two names have been pivotal to the Royal Challengers' chances in IPL 2023 as well.

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IPL 2023, RCB vs GT Match Prediction: Faf du Plessis and Co. under the pump at the Chinnaswamy

Ashish Nehra has overseen another top-two finish for the Gujarat Titans

Most of RCB's success in IPL 2023 has been down to their top order. Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis have plundered runs at the top, becoming the most successful opening combination in this edition of the league. They've had support from Glenn Maxwell, who has blazed away with abandon whenever he has had time to spend at the crease.

Assuming GT don't rest any of their key players, the Bangalore opening pair will be up against a rampaging Mohammad Shami, who has been impossible to contend with in the powerplay this year. Josh Little, who has returned from international duty, will be another name to watch out for.

And if the powerplay bowlers don't get the RCB batters out, there's only the small task of negotiating Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad in the middle overs. That could prove to be a major stumbling block for the Royal Challengers, whose lesser-known players haven't been consistent at all in IPL 2023.

RCB are high on spirit and confidence, but their bowling attack pales in comparison to GT's. That could prove to be the difference between the two sides at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where strong bowling sides generally come out on top.

If the Titans don't rest many of their superstars, they might be able to end the league stage on a high and dash RCB's hopes. However, it must be said that this contest could also easily go in the other direction.

Prediction: GT to win Match 70 of IPL 2023.