Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars – 26/12/2020

Sixers v Stars – BBL Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Team News, Predictions – 26/12/2020

Pre-tournament favourites Melbourne Star meet defending champions Sydney Sixers in a mouthwatering BBL battle.

Both teams have two wins from their opening three games and will be looking to put down an early marker.

Take a look at our free cricket betting tips for this contest.

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars – Match Preview

Sydney head into this fixture on the back of a confidence-boosting victory over Adelaide Strikers.

The Stars will have been frustrated after rain halted their perfect record when they came up against Perth. That no result does mean they are the only team without a defeat on their record.

Where: Carrara Oval, Queensland

When: Saturday, 26 December 2020

Start time: 15:50 IST (10:20 GMT)

Pitch conditions: This is the first match played at this ground during this year’s tournament. Batting first and setting a strong total looks the prefered approach. The pitch is expected to slow down significantly as the game wears on.

Weather conditions: There is a slight chance of rain for this contest so we could be in for a truncated affair. Added moisture will add to the ball not coming onto the bat and could make a run-chase tricky.

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Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars – Latest Odds

Melbourne Stars are favourites to maintain their unbeaten record. They are priced at 1.73 with bet365 to win this fixture.

Sydney can be backed at 2.1 with the same betting site.

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars – Team News

The Stars will be without batsman Nic Maddison for this after Australian border closures due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in Sydney.

They will be hoping for more from last year’s top-runscorer Marcus Stoinis and his opening partner Andre Fletcher.

Adam Zampa is expected to come back in after missing the previous game against Perth. Will Pucovski is with the Australia Test squad.

Sydney’s batting line-up also looks in good health, though more will be expected of youngster Josh Philippe after a stuttering start to BBL 10.

Dan Christian and Dan Hughes bolster the middle-order, while Steve O’Keefe has been a hit with the ball in the opening clashes.

Sixers v Strikers – Squads

Sydney Sixers v Melbourne Stars – Betting Tips and Prediction

This looks a really intriguing tussle between two of the BBL’s top sides.

Sydney have done well so far as they look to defend their title, but the Stars are rightly the favourites to come out on top.

They look to have a great balance in their line-up and are started the tournament in confident fashion.

Their price of 1.73 with bet365 looks a good bet in this match.

Sydney’s openers have had to be bailed out a few times by their middle-order, most recently against Adelaide. If Philippe falls early then the Stars could expose them further.

Back Zampa for Top Bowler

The slow track at this ground should suit Adam Zampa perfectly.

He can both frustrate the Sixers and take wickets and looks a great bet to be Melbourne’s top bowler.

The pitch is expected to be slow and should grip for the spinners the longer the clash goes on. He also comes into this year’s BBL on the back of a good IPL campaign for RCB.

Zampa is priced at 4.0 with bet365 to be his team’s top wicket-taker.

Stoinis for Man of the Match

Marcus Stoinis hasn’t quite hit top gear yet but did have to overcome a side strain ahead of the tournament.

Another break in-between matches should have helped that issue further and his brute strength could help him get the ball to the boundary in tough conditions.

His 61 in 37 balls against the Thunder suggests he’s ready to fire. The fact he can bowl a bit of part-time medium pace on top of his batting prowess means he is a prime candidate in the man of the match betting market.

Backing him at 7.0 to be named man of the match with 22Bet is a longshot but one that is worth considering.

Discover our free BBL betting tips for this fixture.