Sixers v Thunder BBL tips, odds & value bets – January 21, 2023

The Sydney Smash returns to the SCG with the Sixers and Thunder set to battle it out on Saturday night. The Sixers will be fighting for the top spot on the BBL ladder, while the Thunder are fighting to ensure they have a place in the BBL finals.

These two sides meet at a very interesting time. Steve Smith scored the first BBL century for the Sixers in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday against the Strikers, while the Thunder were led by Matthew Gilkes to a win over the Renegades in Canberra.

The Sydney Sixers are still yet to be beaten at the SCG this BBL season. The Thunder have an excellent side on paper but, having lost three of their last four games, are struggling to put everything together. Look for the Sixers dominance to continue with the home side winning ($1.64).

Smith’s century against the Strikers in Coffs Harbour was one of the best you could have seen. Smith treated good balls will respect, used the time he had on his side while batting first and was a steady hand for his batting partners. At the same time, he played a combination of shots all around the ground that were simply stunning. The Thunder will be hoping that Smith does not ‘find his hands’ at the SCG, because he is liable to be the Sixers’ leading runscorer again ($3.75).

Last time out at the SCG, Sean Abbott was phenomenal for the Sixers, taking three wickets for just 18 runs from his four overs. Abbott will again be the man leading the attack for the home side in the face of players like David Warner and Oliver Davies. Abbott will know better than most what weaknesses of Davies and Warner need to be exploited to remove them before they get their innings started. Abbott is every chance of again taking three or more wickets ($4).

Key matchup: Steve Smith v David Warner

The two opening batters for the Sixers and Thunder have been two of Australia’s best players for the last decade, across all three formats. Both can score quickly, and score centuries, in their own way, making them entirely different prospects to take down. Both can play traditional cricket shots; however, Smith can play some very unconventional shots, while Warner’s power is what sets him apart from everyone else. At the top of the order both players will need to control their team’s innings, as Smith did in Coffs Harbour, in order to ensure their side can put on a big total or chase one down.

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