Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Preview & Prediction | BBL|14 | League Stage
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The first BBL 14 fixture following Christmas Day sees Sydney Sixers defending their perfect start to the tournament against bottom-of-the-table Melbourne Stars.
Date & time: Wednesday December 25th 2024: USA PT – 11:05am / Thursday December 26th 2024: USA ET – 2:05am / UK – 7:05am
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia
Weather: Sunny with a freeze breeze and temperatures at 23c.
How to watch: USA – Willow TV / UK – Sky Sports & Sky Go / Australia – Seven Network, Foxtel & Kayo Sports
How to get tickets for WBBL|10: Click here for the latest ticket information for Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars
Sydney Sixers Preview: Two in two for Sixers
Sydney Sixers just find a way. When it looks like they are set to come out the wrong end of a game, the depth within their side so often comes up clutch to save them and that’s exactly what occurred in the Sydney derby. Against the Thunder, Moises Henriques side were chasing 164 to win and looked in trouble at one stage, losing a fifth wicket in the 19th over when needing 24 still for victory.
But Jordan Silk stuck around to provide a crucial 36, whilst Ben Dwarshuis came in swinging, smashing 6 from his first delivery, before hitting a crucial maximum with the penultimate ball of game when the Sixers still needed seven runs to win. A quickly run single off the last ball then sealed victory.
Melbourne Stars Preview: Nightmare start for Stars
It’s been a competition to forget for Melbourne Stars so far, playing three and losing three. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Adelaide Strikers as they were strangled whilst chasing 166. After a solid powerplay, the Stars suffered a batting collapse which ultimate left them unable to really push the accelerator button, which proved costly down the line.
In the end, they lost out by 15 runs which leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table. Ben Duckett was dismissed first ball in his Stars debut to compound what was a miserable game from their perspective.
Sydney Sixers Betting Analysis
Ben Dwarshuis proved to be crucial with both bat and ball against the Thunder, but bowling is by far his main strength and he’ll be licking his lips at the prospect of facing an out of form, low on confidence Melbourne Stars batting order. On a pitch he is familiar with at the SCG, expect Dwarshuis to record 2+ opposition wickets.
Melbourne Stars Betting Analysis
Whilst Marcus Stoinis is yet to rack up a really big score, he has been making steady contributions with the bat for Melbourne Stars. His 27 against the Strikers follows on from him scoring 26 and 37 respectively across his side’s two matches previous to that. It’s worth backing him to accumulate 20+ runs in this next game via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market.
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Expert Prediction
When taking into account the performances of both these two teams across the tournament so far, the result here should be a formality. Sydney Sixers are playing far better, boast more reliable depth pieces within their batting order and always seem to figure things out in crunch situations to ultimately come out on top. Back them to get the better of Melbourne Stars on Boxing Day.
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars Top Tip: Sydney Sixers to win
