The Melbourne Renegades will host the Adelaide Strikers in their final home and away game of BBL12, potentially ahead of a huge finals series.
It’s last chance saloon for the Strikers, who simply must win as the fight for top five positions intensifies.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and BBL betting tips below. And if you're looking for a new sportsbook then why not have a look at our Neds review and give them a try?
BBL12 Renegades vs Strikers Betting Tips
Marvel Stadium, Tuesday 24th January, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Renegades
Predicted XI: Martin Guptill, Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper, Aaron Finch, Matt Critchley, Jono Wells, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Ruwantha Kellapotha, Corey Rocchiccioli, Kane Richardson
The Renegades are on the verge of qualifying for the finals for the first time since 2018-19, the year they won it all.
A win here will guarantee the red side of Melbourne a spot in the top five, while a loss clouds things slightly.
As such, the Renegades will roll out their best XI at Marvel Stadium to maximise the chance of a victory.
Despite going down to the Scorchers by 10 runs on Sunday night, there were some positive signs heading into this game.
Shaun Marsh returned to the line-up with a bang, striking 54 from 34 against a strong bowling attack.
Fellow veteran Aaron Finch was also back to his best – the skipper belted 76 from 35 including five sixes at the death to make things interesting.
Finally, Will Sutherland (30 off 18) played yet another impressive cameo, demonstrating that this is the best batting depth Melbourne has had in a while.
All three of those players will be crucial to the Renegades’ hopes on Tuesday night, and as will Kane Richardson who will return for this one.
Adelaide Strikers
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Adam Hose, Colin De Grandhomme, Ryan Gibson, Harry Nielsen, Henry Thornton, Cameron Boyce, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle
The Strikers have fallen off a cliff since losing Chris Lynn, losing four consecutive games.
As a result, the only option Adelaide have on Tuesday is to win if they are to secure finals qualification.
While Lynn’s departure was seemingly the catalyst for Adelaide’s downturn, the South Australian side still has plenty of talent on paper.
Short, Head and Carey represent a formidable top order, but the trio has failed to gel since coming together.
Nevertheless, they could explode at any moment.
Likewise, Wes Agar and Peter Siddle would have expected to perform better this campaign, so expect them to play a big role if the Strikers take the points on Tuesday.
Match Prediction
The stakes couldn’t be higher for this game.
Both teams would argue that they are worthy of a finals spot in BBL12, but the likelihood is that only one will make it.
The bookies can’t separate these two teams, but there are some key stats pointing to a Renegades victory.
Adelaide have fared terribly away from home in BBL12, losing their last five away matches.
Furthermore, the Renegades have won their last two home matches, and several Melbourne players perform considerably better under the roof.
As such, I’m backing the Renegades to end their finals drought with a dramatic triumph over the Strikers.
Melbourne Renegades
$1.90 (2 units)
Same Game Multi
Richardson is a Marvel Stadium specialist. The Renegades spearhead has taken two wickets in each of his last three appearances at the venue, and I expect him to do so again against the fragile Strikers batting line-up.
This leg has been a staple of our multis all season, and I’m going back to it again for this game. The pitch at Marvel Stadium is generally slow and unthreatening, so I can’t see a batsman being beaten for the first wicket.
Marsh was in fantastic form on Sunday night against the Scorchers and his cool head will be extremely valuable in this do-or-die clash. The classy left-hander has passed 30 in his last three BBL innings.
Player to Take 2+ Wickets – Kane Richardson
Method of First Dismissal 1st Innings – Caught
Player to Score 20+ Runs – Shaun Marsh
