We head to Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast for a rare match at the venue which usually hosts the Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. Such is the reality of the unique 2020 season, Cricket Australia has taken matches to as many parts of the ‘hub’ as possible.
The people of the Gold Coast will get to experience a blockbuster Boxing Day clash between two heavyweights of the competition in the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. Both sides come into this match with 2 wins from their 3 matches and sit 2nd and 3rd respectively on the BBL ladder. This is the first time we see these teams compete since the BBL09 final where the Sixers came out on top in a close match.
The Stars have started the season in strong form and are the only undefeated side left in the competition. They arguably would be 3/3 if it weren’t for a washed out match against the Scorchers. The Sixers are in a similar boat where you could argue they should also be 3/3 after somehow losing their opening match from a match-winning position.
There is plenty of star power on display here tonight with the likes of Maxwell, Stoinis and Zampa for the stars while the Sixers hopes will rely on key men Philippe, Holder and Dan Christian.
BBL10 Sixers vs Stars Betting Tips
Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast 9:20pm AEDT
Sixers Squad: Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Daniel Christian, Tom Curran, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon, Ben Manenti, Steve OKeefe, Josh Philippe, Lloyd Pope, Jordan Silk, James Vince
Stars Squad: Glenn Maxwell (c), Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Clint Hinchliffe, Nic Maddinson, Jonathan Merlo, Lance Morris, Tom O Connell, Will Pucovski, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Match Prediction
This match looks set up to be one of the games of the season so far and I am predicting to be as tight as most would be predicting. There are a few key match-ups across the park but I am expecting the Stars to come out on top.
The Stars have looked as good as any team in the competition and their main players have been performing week in week out. You just can’t tip against them at this point in the tournament and will look to jump to the top of the ladder with a win here tonight. The Sixers bowlers will have a massive task in keeping Maxwell and Stoinis quiet and looks a key factor in the result of the match.
Stoinis is a big game player and will be ready to fire in a top of the table clash, while Maxwell has been playing with supreme confidence all Summer. The Sixers bowlers have been performing well so far but face their toughest test tonight. The result will come down to how many runs the Sixers can restrict Stoinis and Maxwell to. I think the firepower the Stars possess will be too much for a Sixers team who will need to take their game to the next level.
Sydney Sixers Prop Bet
We haven’t covered much of the Sixers so far in the preview but you definitely can’t underestimate the quality they have in their squad. Josh Philippe is one of the most exciting talents in Australian cricket while the addition of West Indies captain Jason Holder adds some intrigue to their line-up.
We are focusing on Josh Philippe for our tip here. While the young gun has been up and down so far this season with his form I’m one for sticking strong with a player and confident he can repay the faith here. Philippe blasted the highest score of the tournament so far a couple of games ago with 95 off 57 against the Renegades.
In a match where the Sixers big players are going to need to step up, Philippe will want to lead from the top of the order. He scored 52 off 29 the last time he played the Stars and will be keen to put up something similar.
Philippe Top SIX Runscorer
$3.75
Melbourne Stars Prop Bet
I mentioned I am keen to stick strong with players throughout the season and this selection will be no different. Stoinis has been similar to Philippe in his form with one big score and two fails. I am confident he can bounce back here in a big game.
Many will remember Stoinis hitting the highest ever BBL score last season (147*) against the team he faces today and you can bet that innings will still be in the back of his mind. You’d expect that will give him the confidence to take on the Sixers bowlers and put the pressure firmly on the men in magenta.
He is a key component to the success of the Stars and will want to get his side off to a good start at the top of the order. The Stars are also without Nic Maddinson due to Covid restrictions so there will be an extra pressure on Stoinis’ shoulders.
Stoinis Top STA Runscorer
$3.30
