The Scorchers have been in phenomenal form this year – losing just one of their nine matches all season and boasting a net run rate of 1.254 – 0.22 ahead of their nearest challenger.
The Thunder are in good nick too – a three-game winning streak which included an impressive double over the Strikers means they are up to third and ten points behind the Scorchers with a game in hand.
The margin to the top of the standings may be too difficult to close, but the Thunder will see this as a great opportunity to solidify their top four placings.
Despite the recent form of the opposition, I am going to pick a Scorchers win as part of my cricket betting tips- you can follow my choices before the action starts at 3.45 pm (IST) on Thursday 6th January at the Metricon Stadium.
The Scorchers triumphed in a huge clash against top two rivals the Sixers last time out to open up a wide margin at the head of proceedings and solidify their status as one of the favourites for the tournament.
After posting a timid 144/8, the Scorchers’ bowling unit went to task with precision to help their side to a 10-run victory, with Tymal Mills and Andrew Tye taking three wickets apiece.
It follows a familiar pattern of dominance by the Scorchers in the field this season – only twice have they conceded over 160 runs, although once was against today’s opponents in a 34-run defeat.
With AJ Tye and Tymal Mills working in harmony, it is difficult to see how any side can get on top of them with the bat.
Team News
Tymal Mills makes his final appearance for the Scorchers this season before he jets off with the England camp to take on the West Indies – he will hope he can leave with a bang.
The Scorchers are likely to field an unchanged line-up, provided no other last minute positive Covid-19 cases materialise.
Player to Watch: Tymal Mills
Franchise management always knew it was a possibility Mills would go with the England set-up midway through the season – but his departure doesn’t come as any less of a blow.
The pacey Englishman can steam in to bowl unplayable yorkers on the regular, and is a key element of the Scorchers’ red hot death bowling attack.
It was a toss up between him and Mahmood to be my Hot Bet for the Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder betting tips – but I sided with his compatriot! He could still be worth a bet to be top Scorchers bowler at 6.72 with 10CRIC.
Scorchers’ Likely XI
Cameron Bancroft (wk), Colin Munro, Laurie Evans, Ashton Turner, Kurtis Patterson, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Tymal Mills, Peter Hatzoglou.
Thunder Recent Form
The Thunder are enjoying a three-game winning streak and continue to close the gap on the top two. Comfortable back-to-back wins against the Strikers were inspired by two fine innings from Jason Sangha (91 not out) and Mathhew Gilkes (93) respectively.
Across those three victories, the Thunder are averaging at 186 with the bat – but they will need to perform again to a much higher level if they are to overcome the high-class Scorchers attack.
Keep an eye out for the exciting Daniel Sams – the left-arm quickie has taken six wickets across his last three matches and could pose a problem to the Scorchers.
Team News
Alex Hales returns to the squad for this game after completing his Covid-19 isolation, though Tanveer Sangha, Alex Ross, and Sam Whiteman all miss out due to those same circumstances.
It will be the final appearance of the season in Thunder colours for Sam Billings and Saqib Mahmood – both are joining Tymal Mills with the England squad for the tour of the West Indiies.
Talking to the official Thunder website, Billings said: “I feel valued in this environment, I get the backing. I really enjoy playing in lime green.”
“It is a shame [to be returning to England so soon] but it’s always a privilege to represent your country. Hopefully I can continue the good form over in the West Indies.”
Player to Watch: Alex Hales
It has been a tournament to forget for the opener, with a lack of form and Covid-19 results meaning he is finding it difficult to establish any sort of real momentum.
Class is permanent – so goes the saying – and it’s only a matter of time until we see the sort of destruction cricket onlookers know he’s capable of. Perhaps he will make a major impact on his return to the side.
Thunder’s Likely XI
Alex Hales, Matthew Gilkes, Sam Billings, Baxter Holt, Daniel Sams, Ollie Davies, Ben Cutting, Nathan McAndrew, Chris Green (capt), Gurinder Sandhu, and Saqib Mahmood.
Venue & conditions
The Metricon Stadium hosts its second game in quick succession after the Scorchers’ win over the Sixers on Tuesday.
It was a low-scoring affair, with just 276 runs scored between the two and I reckon it could e another edgy contest on Thursday – particularly with rain and thunder about.
Here’s hoping we get some cricket – but the current forecast doesn’t look promising!
Scorchers vs Thunder Head To Head
Appropriately, given the closeness of this clash, the Scorchers and the Thunder have an identical head-to-head record – each boasting seven wins apiece.
Last season, the Thunder won the first meeting of the campaign between these two by seven wickets, before the Scorchers responded with a thumping 17-run victory of their own.
Find the full lowdown below:
Scorchers vs Thunder Toss Prediction
It may be neck and neck in the head-to-head record, but the Thunder totally dominate at the bat flip – boasting a 12-2 win-rate!
I’m backing them to continue that dominance with another correct call here – and if they do win, I can see them putting the Scorchers into bat.
If there is a weak element to this Scorchers team, it’s the batting unit, and captain Chris Green will want to expose that as quickly as possible
You can find the Scorchers vs Thunder toss winner statistics below:
This is a clash that comes down to a battle between one of the best batting sides and one of the best bowling sides in the BBL – which will come out on top?
Despite the good-looking form of the Sydney Thunder – particularly in their batting ranks – I am sticking with the Scorchers to get it done.
They have a formidable balance to their side and play an aggressive game with the bat and the ball. I think their fielding unit will prove too strong for the Thunder.
I’m placing my bet with Pure Win – a premium online sportsbook with thousands of pre-match and in-play markets. You can read more about them in our Pure Win Review.
Despite going at 11 runs an four over spell against the Strikers, Mahmood picked up two important wickets to continue an impressive spell for the Thunder.
In four of his five matches since making his debut, Mahmood has taken at least two wickets – that is some fantastic impact and suggests his bowling style suits the rigours of the Big Bash League.
I’m backing him to go out with a bang be top bowler for the Thunder – it’s the Hot Bet as part of my Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder predictions. I recommend you place your bet with Betway – a leading international sportsbook that specialises in pre-match odds and in-play bets.
