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Watson odds and run-scoring tips, Stars vs. Thunder BBL Saturday

  • MATCH UP STATS

    Melbourne Stars vs. Sydney Thunder

    • Last 5 results:

      Melbourne Stars: LLLWL
      Sydney Thunder: WLLWL

Saturday, January 20 from 6.10pm AEDT at the MCG, Melbourne.

AFTER six consecutive years in the finals and competing for BBL titles, the Melbourne Stars have officially had their streak – and dominance over this competition – ended.

Sitting on the bottom of the ladder with one win after seven games, it’s been a summer to forget for the Stars.

After recording their first win of the season last week against the Renegades, there was some hope of a late-season resurgence, but that was extinguished on Tuesday night when John Hasting’s men floundered against the 7th-placed Sydney Sixers in a game they were expected to win.

Will the Stars end up with their wooden spoon? What kind of team will they be now that finals are mathematically out of the equation?

We’re about to learn something new about the BBL’s glamour club when they face the Sydney Thunder on Saturday night.

Sitting sixth on the ladder, two wins outside the top four, the Thunder still have a mathematical chance of finals.

If Shane Watson’s side can win their last two games with strong a run rate and other contenders lose, they’ll squeeze in.

But it has to start here.

Will the Thunder be able to do the business against a bruised and battered Stars outfit at the MCG?

Let’s take a look at the result and player special markets.

Shane Watson odds and tips – Stars vs. Thunder

There were doubts surrounding Shane Watson has the veteran ex-international star entered into another BBL season.

Watson wasted no time putting those doubts to bed.

The Thunder captain is fourth on the list of tournament run-scorers after seven matches with 260 runs and has been a rock in which his side has become a competitive unit.

Watson, who used to love playing at the MCG in Australian colours, provides real value for punters in this match:

Shane Watson odds vs. Stars:

While a lot of the attention is on the in-form Usman Khawaja, Watson has snuck under the radar here and provides real juicy betting options. The $4.50 for most Thunder runs is enticing and, if you believe he can do that in a winning side, the $9 for man of the match becomes very attractive.

Most wickets betting – Stars vs. Thunder

Melbourne Stars:

It hasn’t been a great season for the Stars skipper, John Hastings. His side will miss the finals for the first time and he’s found it hard to take wickets and make runs personally.

We suspect the big fella is due for a change in luck and given that he’ll be bowling his full complement of overs, he’ll provide some value for the +400 he is offering at Sportsbet.com.au.

Sydney Thunder:

We’ve been in Fawad Ahmed’s corner all summer and he’s rarely let us down, sitting seventh on the competition wicket tally, while leading the way for the Thunder this season.

You can bet your bottom dollar that Ahmed is going to cause issues for the Stars and on the wide expanses of the MCG, the outfielders will certainly come into play. Get on the $4 he’s offering at Sportsbet.com.au.

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