Thunder aim to resume good run in the season
Sydney Thunder are favourites in the knockouts as they take on Brisbane Heat on Sunday. The men in green have had a great season, but the one thing that will bother them is they walk into the knockout with just two wins in their last six matches. They still have odds of 1.66 to win the knockouts.
Brisbane Heat, on the other hand, come off the back of a spectacular morale boosting win over Adelaide Strikers. The fact that they did it without their usual men standing up augurs well for the Heat. But it will still take a huge effort to usurp the Thunder. Their odds of beating them stand at 2.00
Overall record favour Brisbane Heat
Brisbane Heat have the edge in terms of overall records with nine wins as against just three losses in all seasons of the BBL combined. That is a pretty lopsided record and one that should give the Brisbane Heat lots of confidence. But, in recent times, it has been more even.
RECOMMENDED BET: Brisbane Heat are the team in form, although their odds of beating Sydney Thunder are higher: 2.00
In the last two years, the teams have won two games apiece in the four matches between these sides. This includes the ongoing season of the BBL where each side won a game each.
Keep an eye on…
Thunder batting: Alex Hales, Usman Khawaja, Calum Ferguson and Sam Billings with Ben Cutting down the order make the Thunder a formidable batting unit. But, they are up against an in-forn Brisbane Heat bowling line-up, and the onus is on Hales to counter the early powerplay overs.
TIP: Marnus Labuschagne is a in brilliant all-round form and has odds of 10.00 to win the Player of the Match award.
Marnus Labuschagne: The Australian Test batsman has taken seamlessly to T20 cricket and has been vital in Brisbane Heat’s late surge. He has contributed with bat and ball and can be the difference if the Thunder don’t take him seriously enough.