It’s been a long time coming, but the first Melbourne derby of BBL10 is upon us as the Stars host the Renegades at the MCG. The Stars are riding high after a crucial victory against the Strikers on Friday, while the Renegades threw away a golden opportunity to knock off the Brisbane Heat on Thursday. The Stars have dominated the Renegades across the history of the Big Bash, and with the Renegades season all but over, the Stars will be in for the kill. See our full preview and betting tips for Sunday night’s clash below.
Big Bash League (BBL10): Stars vs Renegades Betting Tips
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sunday January 17, 7:15pm
Melbourne Stars Squad: Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Elliott, Andre Fletcher, Seb Gotch, Liam Hatcher, Clint Hinchliffe, Nick Larkin, Lance Morris, Tom O’Connell, Sam Rainbird, Haris Rauf, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa
Melbourne Renegades Squad: Aaron Finch, Noor Ahmad, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Mackenzie Harvey, Peter Hatzoglou, Josh Lalor, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Perry, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Brayden Stepien, Will Sutherland, Imad Wasim, Beau Webster
Match Prediction
Not a hard tip at all for this one. The Stars are coming off a massive win, and are up against a side that has only won two games. The MCG has always been a fortress for the Stars, so it’s gonna be all one way traffic. The Stars bowling attack showed on Friday night that they are well equipped for the MCG. Zampa, Maxwell and Khan provide plenty of variety with spin, whilst Stanlake and Rauf hit the wicket hard and force batsmen to hit to the long square boundaries.
The Stars excellent bowling attack comes up against the worst performing batting lineup in the competition. The Renegades have averaged 128 runs per game this season and have been bowled out for under 100 three times this season. Shaun Marsh sits 11th in the competition for runs with 247 runs at an average of 30, from just eight games. Sam Harper is the next best Renegade with 173 runs, however the Renegades just simply haven’t scored enough runs this season to be competitive. Compare that against the Stars who have averaged 140 runs per game, with Maxwell (292 runs) and Stoinis (290 runs) sitting as the 4th and 5th ranked batsmen in BBL10.
The Renegades have only won five games since winning the title back in BBL08 and they look completely void of any confidence at the moment. They lack any genuine threat with the ball and their batting unit is completely out of form. The Stars showed on Friday that they are going to be tough to beat at the MCG, and traditionally the Stars tend to peak late in the home and away season. Big danger signs for the Renegades in this match, has the potential to be a serious massacre.
Melbourne Stars to win
$1.54
Stars Prop Bet
After a record breaking BBL09 season, Marcus Stoinis has continued that form into this season, smashing 290 runs at an average of 36.50, the fifth most runs of any player in the competition. Stoinis struggled on Friday however he had scored 97, 34 and 47 in the three games in the lead up to his last game. Now back at the MCG for the next stretch of matches where Stoinis has an excellent record, expect Stoinis to explode at the back end of the season.
The Renegades must have nightmares about Marcus Stoinis, the star opener has torn the cross town rivals to shreds over the past few seasons. Stoinis has scored 332 runs against the Renegades, the most of any current Stars player in Melbourne derbies. In Stoinis’ last five games against the Renegades, he has scored 279 runs at an average of 139. That five game stretch featured knocks of 68 not out, 70 not out and 78 not out. He rises to the occasion in the Melbourne derby, and he continuously gets the job done against the Renegades, expect a big score from Stoinis against a struggling Renegades attack.
Marcus Stoinis Stars Top Runs
$3.30
Renegades Prop Bet
While there haven't been many positives for the Renegades this season, the emergence of young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk has been a shining light for the Renegades. Fraser-McGurk scored a career best 40 on Thursday night which dragged the Renegades out of a hole, to a very defendable score. The career best night came off the back of a crucial knock of 29 not by Fraser-McGurk which got the Renegades over the line against the Strikers.
Renegades coach Michael Klinger has hinted at moving Fraser-McGurk up the order and with some great form in a struggling side, the eighteen year old should see more opportunity up the order. He’s averaging 31.66 from six matches to start his BBL career and has shown the ability to move through the tempo of the game, his power game was known, but his ability to tick the strike over has been impressive. The young gun is an excellent value choice as the Renegades top run scorer.
Jake Fraser-McGurk Gades Top Runs
$8.00
