Things are getting exciting in the last week of IPL2017, with three places in the Playoffs still to be decided.

Also, the competition is getting hotter for finishing in top-two, which will give the sides an extra chance in the Playoffs.

We take a look at what are the chances of different teams.

This is how the points table stand as of now:

POINTS TABLE

 
(as after match # 52)

Mumbai Indians:

For qualifying: Mumbai Indians have already qualified for the Playoffs.

For top-two finish:

Mumbai Indians are certain of finishing in top-two. A win tonight against KKR will see them finishing with 20 points and they will remain on the top.

However, a defeat tonight against KKR might see KKR displacing them from the top. But they will still remain at number two. This is because only team – RPS- can match them on points. But it is highly unlikely that RPS can beat them on the net run-rate. Mumbai Indians have a NRR of +0.810 at the moment, while Rising Pune Supergiant have a NRR of -0.083. Even if Mumbai Indians lose to KKR by 100 runs and RPS beat KXIP by 100 runs, Mumbai Indians will still remain ahead of Rising Pune Supergiant on NRR.

Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab cannot beat Mumbai Indians on points. So, Mumbai Indians are almost certain of finishing in top-two.

Kolkata Knight Riders:

For qualifying:

For all practical purpose, KKR are certain of a place in the Playoffs. If Sunrisers Hyderabad lose to Gujarat Lions today, KKR will be through to the Playoffs, with Rising Pune Supergiant irrespective of other results.

If, however, Sunrisers win today and then KKR lose to Mumbai Indians, even then KKR will remain ahead of Rising Pune Supergiant, who have a NRR of -0.083.

If KKR lose by:

50 runs, NRR will come down to around +0.48

100 runs, NRR will come down to around +0.29

150 runs, NRR will come down to around +0.10

200 runs, NRR will come down to around -0.07

If KKR bat first, get bowled out for 0 and the Mumbai Indians chase down the target off the first ball of the innings, KKR will still remain ahead of RPS on the NRR.

RPS can get ahead of KKR only if they beat KXIP in their last league match. But in that case, Kings XI Punjab will be eliminated and KKR will be through.

If KXIP beat RPS, then three teams – KXIP, KKR and RPS- will have 16 points each. KXIP & KKR go through on better NRR and RPS will be eliminated.

In case RPS-KXIP match is abandoned, then RPS and KKR will be through and KXIP will be eliminated with 15 points.

So, KKR are certain of a place in the Playoffs unless they lose by more than 200 runs.

For top-two finish:

A good win against Mumbai Indians will see KKR toppling Mumbai Indians from the top. Even if RPS beat KXIP by a huge margin, they will not be able to beat KKR on the NRR and hence KKR will remain on the top.

If, however, KKR lose to Mumbai Indians, then they can finish at number two if Sunrisers lose to Gujarat Lions and KXIP register a narrow win against RPS. In such a scenario, - three teams, KKR, KXIP and RPS will have 16 points each. KKR will finish at number two because of superior NRR.

Sunrisers Hyderabad:

For qualifying:

A win against Gujarat Lions will take Sunrisers through to the playoffs irrespective of other results. However, if Sunrisers lose today, they will need RPS to beat KXIP for qualifying.

For top-two finish:

A win today will take Sunrisers to 17 points. Mumbai Indians are already ahead of them with 18 points. For Sunrisers to finish in top-two, they will need that MI beat KKR tonight and KXIP beat RPS. In such a scenario, KKR, KXIP and RPS will end with 16 points each and SRH will finish at number two behind Mumbai Indians.

Rising Pune Supergiant:

For qualifying:

If Sunrisers lose today, RPS will be through to the Playoffs irrespective of other results. If, however, Sunrisers win today, then RPS will need to beat KXIP in their last league match to qualify. They can still qualify if it’s a wash-out.

For Top-two finish:

To finish in top-two, RPS will need that KKR lose to MI tonight and RPS beat KXIP. Such a result will leave RPS with 18 points, behind MI (20). If KKR beat MI and RPS beat KXIP, then three teams – MI, KKR and RPS will tie on 18 points each. But RPS will lose out because of their inferior NRR.

Kings XI Punjab:

For qualifying:

For all practical purposes, KXIP need to beat RPS in their last league match to qualify for the Playoffs. In that scenario, KXIP and RPS will have 16 points each, but KXIP will go through because of their NRR.

For Top-two finish:

If Sunrisers lose to GL today and MI give a royal thrashing to KKR later tonight and then KXIP beat RPS by a huge margin, KXIP can finish in top-two.

Note: Gujarat Lions, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore are out of the Playoff race.