Just seven games remain in the 2022-23 BBL season and Saturday night boasts a massive matchup as the two Sydney teams do battle for the 2nd time this season. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
Remember to head to our Cricket Tips page for regular updates throughout the remainder of the BBL season and the lead up to the Aussies massive tour of India!
BBL12 Sixers vs Thunder Betting Tips
Saturday 21st January, 7.05pm (AEDT)
Sydney Sixers
Predicted XI: Josh Philippe, Steve Smith, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Hayden Kerr, Ben Drarshuis, Sean Abbott, Todd Murphy, Steve O’Keefe
The Sixers are absolutely rolling at the moment, having won their last four games on the trot to skyrocket into 2nd place in the BBL. They have all but secured their spot in the finals, but will be hopeful for a win here to put some pressure on the Perth Scorchers at the top of the table.
Steve Smith has been fantastic since coming back into the Sixers line-up, scoring 36 in his season debut before smashing 101 off just 56 balls in the win over the Strikers on Tuesday night. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Sixers try to make room for their other international star, Nathan Lyon, who may not be able to crack back into the side with Todd Murhpy and Steve O’Keefe playing well.
Sydney Thunder
Predicted XI: Matthew Gilkes, David Warner, Oliver Davies, Alex Ross, Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green, Brendan Doggett, Usman Qadir
The Thunder bounced back from a three game losing streak with a comfortable win over the Renegades on Thursday night. They were led by opening batsman Matthew Gilkes, who scored 74 off just 55 balls as the Thunder chased down the 142 set by Melbourne with nine balls to spare.
The Thunder sit in 4th place on the BBL12 table and can wrap up a finals spot with a win here. They will need to ensure they get in on points as their net run rate is still severely damaged from being bowled out for just 15 earlier in the season.
Match Prediction
Hard to look past the Sixers here. Their line-up is just so solidified at the moment, exemplified by the fact that they will likely leave out Nathan Lyon in favour of the other two spinners on their list. Their top order was a small weakness through the early parts of the season but with Steve Smith back and firing, they now have a solid base at the top and some of the best power hitters in the comp in the middle order.
Think the pink will be too strong for the lime-green here.
Same Game Multi
Like both Sean Abbott and Todd Murphy to take a wicket to kick our multi off on Saturday night. Murphy has taken seven wickets in five games for the Sixers this season and had his best outing of the year in the win over the Strikers on Tuesday with 3/35.
As for Abbott, the all-time leading wicket taker in the BBL has had another great year with the ball, taking 20 wickets so far and only going wicketless in one game.
Combining those two legs with Steve Smith to score 20+ runs. The superstar has been in great touch since returning to the side. Averages 38.58 in 17 T20 games at the SCG.
Sean Abbott 1+ Wicket
Todd Murphy 1+ Wicket
Steve Smith 20+ Runs
SIX vs THU Same Game Multi
$2.40
