The Melbourne Stars will host the Melbourne Renegades in another huge edition of the Melbourne Derby on Tuesday night, as both teams vie for a spot in the BBL13 finals.
There are plenty of stars on both sides of this contest, so expect a strong crowd to pack the stands for an enthralling game of cricket.
Josh Nevett provides his full match preview and betting tips below.
BBL13 Sixers vs Renegades Betting Tips
MCG, Tuesday 2nd January, 7:15pm (AEDT)
Melbourne Stars
The Stars have resurrected their season in fine style over the last couple of weeks, chalking up three consecutive victories to sit fourth on the table.
Melbourne’s explosive batting group has finally found its mojo – Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis and Beau Webster have all hit the scoreboard across the three wins, while import Dan Lawrence kicked off his stint with 50 off 26 balls against Adelaide.
The bowling options still leave a lot to be desired, but at least the Stars now believe that they can win games off their own bat.
Stoinis’ return to form against the Strikers was particularly encouraging – the enigmatic all-rounder plundered 55 off 19 deliveries to seal a win for his team.
As such, I expect a similar XI to take on the Renegades this Tuesday. While the best bowling mix remains unknown, the entirety of the batting line-up appears clean cut on paper.
Predicted XI: Rogers, Lawrence, Webster, Maxwell, Stoinis, Cartwright, Wasim, Harper (wk), Paris, Rocchiccioli, Steketee
Melbourne Renegades
The Renegades recorded a much needed first win of the campaign against Adelaide, getting home by four wickets with eight balls to spare.
In his favoured conditions under the roof at Marvel Stadium, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 3/20 as the Gades restricted the Strikers to 177.
With the bat, Jake Fraser-McGurk was back to his blistering best with 70 off 37 balls, anchoring the chase alongside veteran Shaun Marsh (54 off 33).
As a result, supporters of the red side of Melbourne will have still hold hope of a finals berth, but a win on Tuesday is essential.
It will be a tough assignment for the Renegades – opening batter Joe Clarke and the in-form Ur Rahman will miss this match due to injury and international requirements, respectively.
Their replacements aren’t set in stone, but I’m backing Maddinson to return to the XI alongside Kane Richardson.
Predicted XI: Maddinson, De Kock, Fraser-McGurk, Marsh, Wells, Harvey, Sutherland, Rogers, Richardson, Zampa, Siddle
Match Prediction
The Stars are in awesome form right now, and I expect that to continue on Tuesday.
Aside from Quinton De Kock and Jake Fraser-McGurk, the Renegades don’t have the power hitters to compete with the likes of Maxwell, Stoinis, Webster, Cartwright and now Lawrence.
Although the Renegades have won the last two encounters between these sides, I’m expecting the Stars to get one back on their home turf.
Melbourne Stars to Win
$1.80 (2 Units)
Same Game Multi
This has been a popular multi booster for me throughout BBL13. Both teams lost their first wicket caught in their most recent fixtures and you can get decent value for that to occur on Tuesday.
Maxwell has already hit 14 boundaries this BBL, and he should enjoy returning to his home venue for this fixture.
Match Betting – Melbourne Stars
First Wicket Caught – 1st Innings – Yes
Player to Hit 1+ Fours – Glenn Maxwell
