Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – 12/12/2020

Stars v Thunder – BBL Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News, Predictions – 12/12/2020

The Melbourne Stars will go into this match on the back of their opener against the Brisbane Heat. This will be the Sydney Thunder’s first fixture of this season’s tournament.

Discover our free cricket match predictions. Our team of experts also have valuable information about the best betting sites in India for the BBL.

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – Match Preview

The last four meetings between these two sides have all resulted in victory for the Melbourne Stars. The Sydney Thunder have not beaten them since 2018.

Where: Manuka Oval, Canberra

When: Saturday, 12 December 2020

Start time: 09:35 IST (05:05 GMT)

Pitch conditions: This will be the Stars’ second match at this venue in as many days, so they will have a stronger sense of the conditions than the Thunder. The team to win the toss could bat first and a target of around 170 should be competitive.

Weather conditions: There is no rain predicted for Canberra on Saturday, when temperatures will likely hang around the mid-20 degrees celsius.

Get BBL Live Streaming from India

Watch the Melbourne Stars take on the Sydney Thunder with Big Bash League live streaming in India. The best live betting sites and cricket betting apps for Android in India offer this.

• You will need an active account and funded balance
• You don’t have to bet on the match you want to watch
• The stream will be made available shortly before the first ball
• Read the bookie’s terms and conditions for any geographical restrictions

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – Latest Odds

Parimatch are among the best betting sites in India and are all set to cover the BBL in great depth with some solid outright markets.

They have the Stars priced as 1.57 favourites for this one and the Thunder 2.38 underdogs. The Sydney team is shaping up really nice here, suggesting now is a good time to bet on their bigger margin.

Be sure to check out Parimatch’s other early markets. You can bet on what happens on the first, second or third delivery of the match. This could bring good value.

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – Team News

Marcus Stoinis overcame a side strain to play in Melbourne’s first clash so should feature here as well.

The Stars lost Jonny Bairstow before the start of the tournament amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic but still boast a formidable batting line-up with Stoinis, Andre Flecher, Hilton Cartwright and Ben Dunk.

They will again be led by Glenn Maxwell and new head coach David Hussey as they chase BBL glory.

Sydney Thunder will hope England’s overseas stars Alex Hales and Sam Billings will help them improve on last season’s campaign.

Daniel Sams enjoyed BBL 09 and will be key to any success this time around.

Stars v Thunder – Squads

Melbourne Stars v Sydney Thunder – Betting Tips and Prediction

This promises to be another close contest early in BBL 10.

While Stars are favourites to lift the trophy this year, it could be worth siding with Sydney Thunder in this one.

Their price of 2.38 with Paimatch looks good value, especially given the way they ended last year’s tournament.

The return of Alex Hales and more support from Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson can hand them a solid foundation. Ben Cutting and Adam Milne give them more options, as well as the spin of Chris Green and Ajun Nair.

That’s not to say Stars won’t go on and push for title success, but opposing them early is certainly a good option here.

Back Ferguson for Top Batsman

Callum Ferguson looks to be a value selection in the Thunder’s top batsman market.

He smashed 376 in 17 matches last season and can hit the ground running in this one. Ferguson heads into this on the back of a second innings 97 for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

It is definitely worth taking on market leader Alex Hales in this opener. The Englishman struggled for runs recently after the PSL returned to action. That followed a lean spell at the end of the T20 Blast.

Ferguson can be backed at 4.0 with 22Bet to be Sydney’s top batsman.

Thunder to Have Highest Opening Partnership

Given the form of Stars opener Marcus Stoinis, it could also be worth backing Thunder to have the highest opening partnership.

Stoinis has been struggling with injury before the BBL and his duck in the opener against Brisbane won’t have helped his confidence.

Sydney have Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja at the top. The duo enjoyed success together last season and can make a solid start for their side.

Thunder to have the highest opening partnership is available at 1.9 with 22Bet.

Don’t forget to see our round-up of the best bets for this fixture.