THE EDGE: The Edge previews the BBL match between Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s Sydney Derby time again at the Big Bash on Betdaq Betting Exchange! The Sixers take on the Thunder on Friday morning with a lot on the line for both sides. Both sides are in very different situations – the Sixers are pushing for a top two finish which obviously makes life a lot easier in the qualifiers. You get two direct shots to the Final, and Sixers fans would have been delighted to see Brisbane Heat beat Perth Scorchers on Wednesday. That meant the Sixers are only one point behind Perth Scorchers, and those two sides meet later in the tournament too.
You have to call this a must win game for both sides. Obviously a top two finish for the Sixers will be hugely helpful, while for the Thunder they need to win just to have a chance of finishing in fifth and crawling into that last playoff spot. Their chances are very bleak with only three points so far, but they do have a game in hand over the sides above them and also play Adelaide Strikers next, so there is a very slim chance if they win all their remaining games. That’s unlikely given the standard of cricket that they’ve been playing, but they do meet Melbourne Renegades in the final game of the group stage and they have equally been very poor.
A win for Sixers would put them in pole position for second, while a win for the Thunder would give them a chance at the playoffs. Lots at stake in what is usually a cracking Derby. Obviously there has been a gulf in class between the sides this season, and with the last meeting rained off hopefully we get to see this game finish.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The Sixers will have PTSD from the last Sydney Derby. They were ahead of Duckworth Lewis when the rain came, had effectively won the game having gone past the target but we needed five overs for a game and came up an over short. We’re at the SCG this time however, and this is the last group stage game of the tournament here. Scoring has been decent – the first inning scores have been; 175/6 (won), 155/7 (won) and 154/8 (chased). That 155/7 should have been chased, they only lost by one run in the end. I would suggest the side who bats first has to be looking at 170+.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, there’s been a big performance level gulf between the sides this season. I was surprised to see the Sixers trading as high as 1.8 when I clicked into the market. I felt that they would be trading closer to 1.6 given how average the Thunder have been this season. Not only that, but the Sixers were well on top before the rain arrived in the last Sydney Derby. The Sixers know how important this game is, and I’d have them much shorter than 1.8. I feel we’re getting enough value for a Max Bet here.
The Edge Says:
Five points win Sydney Sixers to beat Sydney Thunder at 1.8 with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/SixThn
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The Thunder batting has been reasonably OK, but their bowling has really let them down at times. They weren’t defending 200 at the start of the tournament, and they’ve looked short on confidence and wicket taking options. I’d be keen to be against their bowling either in the first or second innings here. That’s where I see the game being won for the Sixers.
