THE EDGE: The Edge previews Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Qualifier: Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers
MATCH OVERVIEW:
It’s playoff time at the Big Bash on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, and we kick off the week with the Qualifier as Hobart Hurricanes host Sydney Sixers. It was a very close race for the top two spots this season with Sydney Thunder putting on a lot of pressure. The Sixers would have been very happy to see the rain in their final game meaning the Thunder couldn’t go past them on net run rate. Obviously being in the top two is a massive advantage in the Big Bash; the winner here goes straight into the Final while the loser plays in the Challenger on Friday for a second chance to reach the Final.
Both sides have been impressive this season; Hobart Hurricanes were already certain of top spot heading into their final game on Sunday but their bowlers were hammered around the ground by an in-form Glenn Maxwell. Given Melbourne Stars have won five in a row and their star batters are in excellent form; you wouldn’t want to bump into them in the Challenger (if the Stars come through the Eliminator beforehand!) You have to say it was a remarkable tournament from Hobart Hurricanes considering they were 74 all out in their first game, and that was against Melbourne Renegades too who turned out to one of the worst sides!
Both sides have been very consistent with the bat and bowl this season; you wouldn’t really pick a major negative when you look at both sides. This should be a close game, but obviously the Sixers have been made much stronger with Steven Smith coming in from the Test squad, and he looks in superb touch too.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
With Hobart Hurricanes finishing top, they get home advantage here. The scoring at the Bellerive Oval this season has been quite consistent – the wicket looks good for batting, and a good compliment about this ground is the side who plays best usually wins. There isn’t a major bias that will massively impact the game. The first inning scores have been 155/6 (chased), 161/6 (won), 186/5 (chased), 164/6 (chased) and 154/7 (chased). You’d definitely lean towards chasing on those results, but runs on the board in a pressure game is an old school idea that might see the side who wins the toss bat first.
RECOMMENDED BET:
This market is very interesting. Hobart Hurricanes are the favourites – they topped the table and then they also have home advantage so I can understand why the market has them as favourites. I disagree with the market here; in my opinion the Sixers have a stronger squad here and I’d have them as the favourites. As I said above, both sides have been top class this season and it’s hard to pick holes in them. I favour the Sixers batting line-up and that will be the difference in my opinion.
The Edge Says:
Two points win Sydney Sixers to beat Hobart Hurricanes at 2.1 with Betdaq Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/HobSyd
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
In general, it’s been very good to bat here so I wouldn’t spend long looking for trades on either bowling side – I would focus on finding the right moments to get on either batting side. It’s an old school Aussie thought to have runs on the board in a high pressure game, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see 170 chased here to be honest. As I said above, I favour the Sixers batting line-up so that’s where I see the most market movement.
