Pietersen and Lyon odds & BBL player tips – Stars vs. Sixers

Tuesday, January 15 from 7.40pm at the MCG, Melbourne.

WHO would have thought we’d ever be here?

The Melbourne Stars, after six years of consecutive finals appearances, sit last on the ladder with just one win after six matches.

The streak is well and truly over for the BBL‘s glamour club.

There’s only one club that you could argue that’s had a worse year – the Stars opponent on Tuesday night, the Sydney Sixers.

The Sixers have registered just one win for the season after seven matches and sit one spot above the Stars because of net run rate and the fact they have played an extra match.

So, this isn’t exactly a blockbuster, but there’s still some serious value to be had in betting markets.

The Stars pulled off a stunning upset win in their last outing, re-taking bragging rights back from cross-town rival the Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium.

In a display many Stars fans may consider a tease of a summer that could have been, Kevin Pietersen led the way with an aggressive 74 from 46 balls and Glenn Maxwell closed things off with a steady 31 not out that propelled the Stars to 4-167 on a tricky wicket.

The Renegades never got going in their chase and eventually fell to 9-141 in their chase.

Have the Stars left their form reversal too late?

The short answer is yes. They may be +5000 at CrownBet.com.au to win the title, but at this stage they would have to win each of their remaining five games and then hope other results go their way, just to squeeze into finals – a long shot.

Let’s take a look at the prominent betting options and player specials on offer.

Stars vs. Sixers most wickets tips

Melbourne Stars:

After losing Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis to international ODI duty last week, the Stars introduced Daniel Worrall and Jackson Coleman to great effect – the pair took five wickets between them at a tight rate and gave the Renegades no chance.

So who will it be that delivers with the ball on Tuesday night?

James Faulkner, at +300 with CrownBet.com.au to take most wickets, is a man with a lot to prove this summer who has remained consistent, without taking a bag of wickets. This is his night when the wickets are going to come.

Sydney Sixers:

With their own new additions in Nathan Lyon and West Indian T20 skipper Carlos Braithwate, the Sixers looked a much better unit in Saturday’s victory over the Thunder.

Can they keep their own momentum going?

After a tidy return in his BBL7 debut, we’re backing in Nathan Lyon to dominate at the MCG, just like he did in the tests – he’s paying $3.75 to get most wickets at CrownBet.

Top run scorer odds & betting – Stars vs. Sixers

Melbourne Stars:

The big fella is in form and we’re backing ‘KP’ to deliver one last gem at the MCG before he hangs up the boots for good in a couple of weeks time.

Kevin Pietersen is fresh off his highest score of the tournament to date and looked in good nick. The $3.50 on offer could be very good money if thrown in a multi.

Sydney Sixers:

Moises Henriques has had an interrupted summer and isn’t the biggest hitter of the ball – but he’s a player that seems to have a happy knack of being right in the thick of the action when you least expect it.

You can get +500 on Henriques to top the batting for the Sixers – and because he bats up the order, he’ll have every opportunity to make his mark.