MLS vs SYD Match Prediction & Betting Tips - Jan 06, 2023
With the first round of the double round robin now completed, the Melbourne Stars will be hoping that things take a turn for the better in the next round of matches.
The Sixers are the favorites to win this match and the odds being offered for their win are quite short. It is pretty expected because the Stars haven’t had the best of seasons so far. Nevertheless, the hosts will look to bounce back soon here.
MLS vs SYD Team Previews
Melbourne Stars
The Stars are having a torrid time this season as they have managed to win just 2 of the 7 fixtures played so far. With just 4 points in the kitty, they are last on the points table, 4 points behind the top 4.
The Stars were favored to win their most recent match, played against their rivals from across the town, the Melbourne Renegades. Captain Adam Zampa was aggressive from the word go and managed to keep the Renegades batsmen, especially Aaron Finch, under check. Zampa himself bowled a superb spell, giving away just 18 runs and picking up a wicket.
However, his effort was overshadowed by a controversial `Mankad´ appeal against Tom Rogers in the final over of the first innings. Chasing a modest target of 142, the Stars were blown away by a superb spell from Tom Rogers, who picked up 5 wickets. At one stage, the Stars were 4 wickets down with just 18 on the board.
Hilton Cartwright and Nick Larkin did put up some resistance but that nearly wasn’t enough to get the home team back in the game. Cartwright and Larkin were the only two batsmen who managed to get to double-figures from the Stars’ batting line-up.
In the end, the Stars finished at 108-9, losing the game by 33 runs. The fortunes of the Stars will depend on the performances of some of its key players, including Joe Clarke and Luke Wood.
Melbourne Stars Playing 11
Joe Clarke, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Hilton Cartwright, Marcus Stoinis, BJ Webster, Nick Larkin, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Trent Boult, Adam Zampa.
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers were forced to share points with the Brisbane Heat in their previous game as the rains played a spoilsport halfway through the first innings. As a result, the Sixers remain at the 3rd place on the points table, trailing the top 2 by a single point.
Earlier, Steve O’Keefe, who was back in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, bowled a good spell. He removed a dangerous Colin Munro as well as the prize wickets of Josh Brown and Jimmy Peirson. With that, O’Keefe now has 6 wickets from 4 matches and also has an excellent economy of 5.84.
Seam bowler Hayden Kerr has played some excellent all-round cricket so far, scoring 115 runs and also picking up 11 wickets. He has received excellent support from Sean Abbott as well as Ben Dwarshuis, who both have managed to take wickets at regular intervals. The batting department too has performed well for the Sixers.
Josh Philippe and James Vince have provided the team with many good starts while James Vince has been a solid performer lower down the order. Overall, the Sixers have a pretty well-balanced squad.
Sydney Sixers Playing 11
Josh Philippe, James Vince, Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Hayden Kerr, Sean Abbott, Chris Jordan, Todd Murphy, Izharulhaq Naveed.
MLS vs SYD Toss Prediction
The captain winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first here.
Read our guide on toss predictions to learn how we analyze and come up with our tips.
Pitch and Conditions
The MCG offers one of the most balanced surfaces in Australia. The batsmen as well as the bowlers get equal opportunities here. The quicker bowlers will get plenty of movement and bounce especially early in the match. But as the surface evens out, the batsmen will be able to score easily here.
The average first innings score here is around 150. The skies are expected to be generally clear with a minimum chance of rain. Temperatures will remain in the lower 20s.
MLS vs SYD Betting Tips
The Stars are going through a rough patch this season. A huge defeat in the Melbourne derby would have further dented their confidence and they will take on the field with drooping shoulders.
On the other hand, after facing consecutive losses at the start of the season, the Sixers have hardly placed a wrong foot and will fancy their chances of scoring a big win here.
Bet on the Sydney Sixers to win.
Bonus Cricket Bets
The Melbourne Stars have only 2 genuine pace options in the form of Trent Boult and Luke Wood. Boult hasn’t played up to his full potential this season and hence, much of the wicket-taking duties have fallen on the shoulders of Wood. He has taken 13 wickets so far including a 5-wicket haul and has an impressive bowling strike rate of 12.6. Given the fact that the MCG pitch has assisted quicker bowlers in the past, we are backing Wood to be the top bowler for the Stars.
We are eager to know what you think of our match predictions, if there is anything we can do better or if you want to let us know your own predictions for the match.