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Cricket betting tips: Big Bash League

3pts Sydney Sixers to beat Perth Scorchers at 11/10

• Big Bash: Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades
• When: Jan 17 0815 GMT
• Where: Melbourne
• TV: BT Sport

Melbourne Stars made a long overdue return to winning ways when trouncing Adelaide Strikers on Friday and will be hoping they can mount a late-season surge into the knockout stages with a very winnable match awaiting them on Sunday.

Were this not for being a local derby, and a T20 match in which anything is possible, the Stars would be one for all weekend accumulators, given the depth of quality in their own line-up and the dire campaign the Renegades have endured so far.

Not even the likes of Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh and Kane Richardson have been able haul the Renegades from the foot of the league table and two wins from 10 matches so far this term is probably a fair reflection of where they are at right now. As such, one eye will surely be on next season already.

On that theme, look out for 18-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk who is a batsman of some potential and made 40 when just missing out on top batsman honours against Brisbane Heat on Thursday.

Having had my fingers burnt on that occasion, I'll leave him alone this time, but he is a name for the future and should the Renegades top order crumble again, I might be cursing not taking the 10/1 about him to oblige.

As for the Stars, Andre Fletcher finding some form with bat on Friday is a big boost for them, and with Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis also ticking along nicely, they look a much better side than what they have shown so far this term.

4/7 for them to claim local bragging rights is too short for me in a T20 match, but I'll be happy to take anything around the 5/6 mark should the in-play markets play ball on Sunday morning.

• Big Bash: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers
• When: Jan 16 0740 GMT
• Where: Canberra
• TV: BT Sport

Saturday's offering from the Big Bash sees league leaders Sydney Sixers take on a red-hot Perth Scorchers outfit in a clash that could go some way to deciding who finishes in the top two and qualifies for the Eliminator on January 29.

With their six-point cushion at the top of the table, the Sixers are just about there already, but after a torrid start to the season, the Scorchers have put themselves firmly in the mix by winning their last five in the manner of a much-improved outfit.

Their recent nine-wicket rout of Hobart Hurricanes was particularly impressive, but they have played their last four matches at their beloved Perth and will surely find things more difficult now back on the road.

On the other hand, the Sixers are well versed to playing at Canberra having withstood an early Alex Hales onslaught before beating fellow high-flyers Sydney Thunder at this venue earlier this week, and I can't quite understand why they aren't favourites for this one.

It is to the Sixers' great credit that they are on course to win successive Big Bash titles despite yet to really play their best cricket - the likes of Daniel Hughes, Dan Christian and Josh Philippe continually pulling them out of sticky situations.

Their ability to get the job done under pressure and is unparalleled and with Philippe and Hughes pulling the strings at the top of the order, Christian adding the finishing touches at the death, and a bowling attack with plenty of variety and experience, they will remain a tough nut to crack.

The Scorchers certainly have the tools to be the side that does crack them, but I'm still concerned that the bowling is a little too reliant on the excellent Jhye Richardson and the batting Jason Roy.

With less Aces in their pack, I can't have the Scorchers as favourites for this one, away from home and against such a fine Sixers outfit, and I'll be backing the reigning champions accordingly at 11/10.

Posted at 1910 GMT on 15/01/21

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