Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades Prediction: Who Will Win SYS vs MLR 18th T20 BBL Match?
The Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction becomes crucial as both teams search for momentum in the middle phase of the Big Bash League 2025. Match 18 will be played on Thursday, 1st January 2025 at the iconic Marvel Stadium, Docklands, a venue known for high-scoring encounters and fast-paced cricket. With the tournament progressing quickly, every win now has a direct bearing on playoff qualification.
Sydney Sixers come into this contest under pressure, having managed only one win from their opening four matches. Despite being placed third on the table due to a superior net run rate, their performances have lacked consistency. The batting has relied heavily on Josh Philippe, while other experienced names are yet to fully step up. However, the Sixers will take confidence from their dominant recent record against Melbourne Renegades, having won each of the last five encounters between the two sides.
Melbourne Renegades, on the other hand, are struggling at the bottom of the ladder with just two points from three matches. While Tim Seifert and Oliver Peake have delivered promising performances, the lack of support from the middle order has repeatedly put pressure on their bowling unit. Facing a historically tough opponent like the Sixers, the Renegades will need a near-complete team performance to turn their season around.
The Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction also hinges on conditions at Marvel Stadium, where totals of around 180 are often competitive. Teams with strong powerplay batting and death-over bowling usually gain an edge here. With both sides desperate for points, this clash promises intensity, tactical battles, and high entertainment value for BBL fans.
- Sydney Sixers have won their last five matches against Melbourne Renegades
- Marvel Stadium generally favors high-scoring contests
- Josh Philippe and Tim Seifert are key top-order batters
- Sixers enter as slight favorites based on history and balance
Match Details
| Match | Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades, 18th T20 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 1 January 2025 |
| Time | 1:45 PM |
| Venue | Marvel Stadium |
| Tournament | Big Bash League |
Team Preview
Sydney Sixers Preview
Sydney Sixers have not fully lived up to expectations so far in BBL 2025, but they remain a dangerous unit with depth in both batting and bowling. Their current record of one win and three losses masks several close contests where small moments proved costly.
Josh Philippe has been the standout batter, scoring 180 runs in four innings at an average of 45 and a strike rate above 150. His aggressive starts have been vital in keeping the Sixers competitive. Daniel Hughes has provided stability at the top, while Jack Edwards has contributed useful runs and all-round value. The biggest concern remains Babar Azam, who has struggled to adapt to the BBL tempo, managing just 71 runs in four games at a modest strike rate.
In the middle order, Moises Henriques and Jordan Silk have shown flashes of form but lack consistency. Their role will be crucial in converting starts into match-winning totals, especially on a batting-friendly Docklands surface.
The bowling unit has been relatively more reliable. Jack Edwards has emerged as the leading wicket-taker with eight scalps, combining accuracy with smart variations. Ben Dwarshuis and Joel Davies have shared nine wickets and offer left-arm variety, while Sean Abbott and Kane Richardson bring experience in pressure situations. Overall, the Sixers’ bowling attack has enough depth to defend competitive totals, provided the batting delivers a solid platform.
Key Players: Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Ben Dwarshuis
Melbourne Renegades Preview
Melbourne Renegades are enduring a difficult start to their BBL 2025 campaign, sitting at the bottom of the table with one win from three matches. While individual performances have been encouraging, collective consistency has been missing.
Tim Seifert has been outstanding at the top, scoring 162 runs from three innings at a strike rate close to 180. His ability to dominate the powerplay is a major asset. Oliver Peake has also impressed, accumulating 100 runs at a strike rate above 150, showing maturity beyond his years.
However, the middle order has been a concern. Mohammad Rizwan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Will Sutherland have not delivered consistently, leaving too much responsibility on the top order. This has often resulted in below-par totals despite promising starts.
Bowling-wise, Jason Behrendorff has led the attack with four wickets, using swing and variations effectively. Gurinder Sandhu and Andrew Tye provide experience, while Adam Zampa remains the key spin option capable of breaking partnerships in the middle overs. The Renegades’ challenge lies in containing runs at the death, particularly on flat surfaces like Marvel Stadium.
Key Players: Tim Seifert, Oliver Peake, Jason Behrendorff
Also Check: BBL 2025-26: Points Table, Most Runs & Most Wickets
Team Squads
Sydney Sixers:
Josh Philippe, Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Moises Henriques, Jack Edwards, Jordan Silk, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Ben Manenti, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson
Melbourne Renegades:
Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Mohammad Rizwan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Peake, Hassan Khan, Will Sutherland, Gurinder Sandhu, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff
Probable Playing XI
| Sydney Sixers | Melbourne Renegades |
|---|---|
| Daniel Hughes | Josh Brown |
| Babar Azam | Tim Seifert |
| Josh Philippe (wk) | Mohammad Rizwan (wk) |
| Moises Henriques (c) | Jake Fraser-McGurk |
| Jack Edwards | Oliver Peake |
| Jordan Silk | Hassan Khan |
| Joel Davies | Will Sutherland (c) |
| Ben Dwarshuis | Gurinder Sandhu |
| Ben Manenti | Andrew Tye |
| Sean Abbott | Adam Zampa |
| Kane Richardson | Jason Behrendorff |
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades Today’s Dream11/Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| WK | Josh Philippe |
| Batters | Tim Seifert, Daniel Hughes, Oliver Peake |
| All-rounders | Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Will Sutherland |
| Bowlers | Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff |
This fantasy combination balances form, role clarity, and conditions at Marvel Stadium. Josh Philippe is a must-pick wicketkeeper due to his consistent run-scoring and attacking approach. Tim Seifert and Oliver Peake provide strong top-order options, both capable of maximizing powerplay overs. Daniel Hughes offers stability and rotation of strike.
Among all-rounders, Jack Edwards is a standout choice given his contributions with both bat and ball. Moises Henriques brings leadership and experience, while Will Sutherland adds value through medium pace and late-order hitting.
The bowling unit focuses on wicket-takers. Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott offer death-over potential, Adam Zampa provides spin control, and Jason Behrendorff remains a threat with the new ball.
Captain: Josh Philippe
Vice-Captain: Tim Seifert
Players to Avoid:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk (inconsistent form)
- Hassan Khan (limited opportunities)
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match
In the Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction, the Sydney Sixers are the favourite team in today’s match. Their stronger head-to-head record against the Renegades — having won 14 of the 20 meetings — underlines their historical dominance. Moreover, the Sixers possess a more balanced bowling attack, with multiple disciplined options capable of restricting runs at key phases, unlike the Renegades whose bowling has been inconsistent this season. Batting depth also favours the Sixers: Josh Philippe has been in excellent form, supported by reliable contributors like Daniel Hughes and Jack Edwards, while Babar Azam and Moises Henriques offer experience and stability.
In contrast, the Renegades have relied heavily on individual brilliance from Tim Seifert and Oliver Peake, lacking consistent support from the middle order. Given the pressure of needing a win, Sydney’s superior experience and momentum—combined with their historical edge—make them the favourite to prevail at Marvel Stadium.
Sydney Sixers T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 174 | 103 | 64 | 7 | 3 |
Melbourne Renegades T20 History
| Matches | Wins | Losses | No Result | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 61 | 88 | 3 | 1 |
Head-to-Head Stats
| Matches | Sydney Sixers Won | Melbourne Renegades Won | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 |
In their 20 T20 encounters, Sydney Sixers have won 14 times, Melbourne Renegades have won 5, with 1 match ending without result. This head-to-head advantage underscores Sydney’s historical edge in this rivalry.
Also Check: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers Head to Head in T20 – Records, Team & Players Stats
Pitch Report
The surface at Marvel Stadium, Docklands is typically flat and batting-friendly, offering true bounce and minimal lateral movement for bowlers. Pacers who can vary pace and execute Yorkers at the death tend to benefit most, while consistent spinners who hit their lengths can also restrict scoring during middle overs. Scores around 180 are considered competitive, and chasing sides often enjoy an advantage under lights due to predictable conditions. Early wickets generally slow run flow, so setting or chasing a big total depends on a disciplined batting performance through the powerplay and middle overs.
Weather Report
| Condition | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–27°C |
| Rain | No rain expected |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Wind | Light breeze |
Clear skies and pleasant conditions are forecast, ensuring uninterrupted play throughout the match.
Broadcast Details
The Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on JioHotstar in India. Fans can follow ball-by-ball commentary, live scores, highlights, and expert analysis on official Big Bash League digital platforms and the FanCode app.
Toss Prediction
At Marvel Stadium, conditions often favour teams that bowl first due to dew later in the evening. In this Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction, the toss winner is likely to bowl first to take advantage of easier batting conditions under lights during the chase.
Score Prediction
- If Sydney Sixers bat first: 165–180
- If Melbourne Renegades bat first: 150–165
A total above 175 could be match-winning on this surface, especially after the powerplay.
Probable Batsman & Bowler
In this Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction, Josh Philippe is the most likely top batsman for Sydney Sixers given his current form and aggressive play at the top. Tim Seifert remains Melbourne Renegades’ best batting hope, capable of a high-impact start. Other key batters with game-changing potential include Daniel Hughes for the Sixers and Oliver Peake for the Renegades; both can anchor innings or accelerate as required. Jack Edwards is also in form with the bat and bowls useful overs.
On the bowling front, Jack Edwards (Sixers) is expected to be among the leading wicket-takers, exploiting his variations effectively at Marvel Stadium. Jason Behrendorff remains Melbourne Renegades’ key bowler with the new ball, capable of picking up early strikes. Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott could also make important contributions by controlling scoring and breaking partnerships in crucial phases.
Also Check For More: Big Bash League Prediction
Match Prediction
According to the Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades prediction, the Sydney Sixers are expected to win this encounter. Their strong head-to-head record, balanced bowling attack, and depth in batting give them an edge over a struggling Melbourne Renegades side. Expect a competitive contest, but the Sixers’ experience and recent form should see them secure the victory.
Predicted Winner: Sydney Sixers
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
Disclaimer: Predictions are for entertainment purposes only. We don’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, We strongly discourage behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% correctness.
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