MLS vs SYS Prediction & Betting Tips, BBL 2020-21
Melbourne Stars face Sydney Sixers in the final group game of the 2020-21 Big Bash League, in a repeat of last year’s final, but the two teams have fared very differently this time around. The Stars need a win in this game to stand any chance of qualifying for the play-offs after just five wins from their first 12 completed games. The match takes place on January 26 and the live action starts at 19:50 local time.
Sydney Sixers, by contrast, start the final round of fixtures in second place with eight wins so far. Defeat last time out could prove costly in terms of finishing top but they can sign off with a win that ensures they go into the Qualifier play-off in a good place. Sean Abbott’s 100th BBL wicket and Jordan Silk’s 78 could not prevent a seven-run defeat, despite hitting 181/6, against Hobart Hurricanes last time out.
Melbourne Stars have been unable to hit their past heights though. They suffered an 11-run defeat to Perth Scorchers most recently, despite Nick Larkin’s 70 from 44 balls, and go into the final round of fixtures in seventh place.
MLS vs SYS Live Streaming
Live TV: Fox Sports, Seven Network, Sony Six, BT Sport, SuperSport, Sony Ten Network, BeIn Sports
Live Streaming: SonyLiv, Kayo Sports, SuperSport Live, Foxtel Sports, Optus Sport
MLS vs SYS Toss Prediction
After electing to field last time out and losing, the Sixers may prefer to bat first this time.
Pitch Report
There were runs aplenty in the most recent match at the MCG.
Weather Report
Rain earlier in the day will hopefully have passed on an otherwise cool evening in Melbourne.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers, Big Bash League 2020-21.
Melbourne Stars Team News & Playing 11
MLS Team News
Melbourne Stars have been shaking their heads as to why their usual stars have failed to click this season. Personnel wise, the star quality remains and they may even stick with the same XI.
MLS Key Players
- Marcus Stoinis: Started bowling again in recent matches, taking a wicket in each of the last two, while his batting at the top of the order is an ever-present threat.
- Glenn Maxwell: Hammered 71* and took 1-24 when these teams last met and the Stars desperately need him to rekindle that batting form.
- Nathan Coulter-Nile: Moved to ten wickets in five appearances last time out, including 2-14 when these teams last met.
MLS Team Form
Back-to-back defeats have left Melbourne Stars outside of the play-off places. They suffered an 11-run defeat last time out to Perth Scorchers, to follow-up a five-wicket loss to out-of-form rivals Melbourne Renegades. After beating them three days earlier, second time around the Stars failed to defend 158/6 on their way to a five-wicket loss. Last time out, meanwhile, Nick Larkin’s 70 from 44 balls could not help them chase down 183 to beat Perth Scorchers. They eventually finished 171/6.
Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing 11
Marcus Stoinis, Seb Gotch (wk), Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Hilton Cartwright, Clint Hinchliffe, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Zahir Khan
Sydney Sixers Team News & Playing 11
SYS Team News
Sydney Sixers could tweak their line-up after a second consecutive loss last time out. That may include pushing Jordan Silk up the order after his recent runs. Sean Abbott’s return last time out was a positive, however.
SYS Key Players
- Jordan Silk: The big-hitting batsman smashed 78 last time out to keep Sydney Sixers I the game and to follow up his 42 from the previous game well in BBL 2020-21.
- Sean Abbott: Returned to the team for the first time this season with figures of 2-32, which included his 100th BBL wicket.
- Josh Philippe: Hard done by after a bad LBW call last time out denied him the chance to add to his return flurry of runs at the top of the order.
SYS Team Form
Sydney Sixers have lost their grip on top spot following defeats in each of their last two matches. The first was in the Sydney Smash, after they conceded 232/5 to Sydney Thunder in a 46-run defeat, before more expensive bowling saw them conceded 188/8 against Hobart Hurricanes. The Sixers, in reply, could only reach 181/8 despite Jordan Silk’s excellent 78 from 49 balls.
Sydney Sixers Predicted Playing 11
Josh Phillipe (wk), James Vince, Dan Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Dan Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Benjamin Manenti, Jake Ball
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Head to Head
Victory in last year’s rain-affected final was one of three times the Sixers beat Melbourne Stars last season. They also bowled them out for 99 when they last met at the MCG. This season, they made it four wins in a row in this fixture with a stunning chase at the Carrara Oval. Glenn Maxwell (71*) had helped power the Stars to 193/5 but Dan Hughes’ 96 from 51 balls as the Sixers got home with one ball and one wicket to spare.
MLS vs SYS Head to Head Stats in T20
| Matches Played |
MLS Won |
SYS Won |
Tie |
No Result |
| 15 |
7 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Betting Odds
Sydney Sixers are only narrowly favourites for this match, as they look to get back to winning ways and deny the Stars a play-off place.
Melbourne Stars Bet365 Odds
- MLS to win: Melbourne Stars are 2.00 outsiders to win with Bet365.
- MLS top team batsman: Marcus Stoinis is 3.00 to Melbourne Stars’ top team batsman with Bet365, while Glenn Maxwell is 4.00. Nick Larkin top-scored last time out and he is 4.50, ahead of opener Seb Gotch at 6.00.
- MLS top team bowler: Adam Zampa is 3.40 favourite to be Melbourne Stars’ top team bowler with Bet365, while Nathan Coulter-Nile is 3.75. Zahir Khan can be backed at 4.50 and Marcus Stoinis – having started bowling again lately – is now 6.00.
Sydney Sixers Bet365 Odds
- SYS to win: Sydney Sixers are 1.85 favourites to win with Bet365.
- SYS top team batsman: Josh Philippe is 3.40 favourite to be Sydney Sixers’ top team batsman with Bet365, while James Vince is 4.00. Moises Henriques can be backed at 5.00 but the better options could be Dan Hughes and Jordan Silk. Hughes starred when these teams last met and he is 5.00 with Bet365, while Silk is 6.50 despite his fine innings last time out.
- SYS top team bowler: Sean Abbott is 3.50 with Bet365 to be Sydney Sixers’ top team bowler after returning to the team to take his 100th BBL wicket last time out. Ben Dwarshuis is 3.60 and Steve O’Keefe can be backed at 4.00.
Melbourne Stars Betway Odds
- MLS to win: Melbourne Stars are narrow 1.90 outsiders to win with Betway.
- MLS top team batsman: Marcus Stoinis is 2.80 with Betway to be Melbourne Stars’ top team batsman, while Glenn Maxwell can be backed at 3.60 as he looks to get back to his best form. Nick Larkin is now 4.00 after his batting last time out and Seb Gotch is 6.00.
- MLS top team bowler: Adam Zampa is 4.00 favourite to be Melbourne Stars’ top team bowler, while Nathan Coulter-Nile is 4.33. Zahir Khan is 5.00. Marcus Stoinis is as high as 8.00 despite his more prominent bowling in the last couple of games.
Sydney Sixers Betway Odds
- SYS to win: Sydney Sixers are 1.87 favourites to win with Betway.
- SYS top team batsman: Josh Philippe is 3.50 with Betway to be Sydney Sixers’ top team batsman and James Vince is 3.75. Dan Hughes can be backed at 4.33 after his outstanding batting when these teams last met, while Moises Henriques is 4.75. Jordan Silk is a very generous 7.50 with Betway considering his form last time out.
- SYS top team bowler: BBL centurion Sean Abbott is 3.60 with Betway to be Sydney Sixers’ top team bowler after his 100th wicket last time out. Ben Dwarshuis is 3.75, while Jake Ball is 4.25. Stephen O’Keefe is 4.75 with Betway.
🏆 Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Prediction
Both teams have lost their last two matches but the Sixers were in better form before that and, with Sean Abbott back in the team, can sort their expensive bowling out to win this game.
Jan 26, 2021
14:20 IST / 8:50 GMT
Melbourne Cricket Ground - Melbourne, Australia
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