It’s time for our Feb 7-10 Big Bash betting tips. We have a reduced service in the Big Bash League schedule this week as we motor towards the business end of the season. Heading into the week and we find Hobart Hurricanes as leaders on 18 points, two better than nearest rivals Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades.
The pace-setters aren’t used to having competition for the top spot this season but they do have a game in hand and winning that will restore their cushion over the chasing pack. The Hurricanes are due to pick up the spare on Thursday morning and, as followers will expect, they are favourites to get the desired result and strengthen their position.
Big Bash Best Bets
Games take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week and with armchair fans able to follow the play live on TV, there promises to be plenty of interest in the outcome. Bookmakers have done the work to ensure you can make things a little more interesting with a winning bet, offering the usual range of markets, including match winner, top batsman and top bowler.
Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Renegades, Thursday 8.30am
Hobart Hurricanes remain the side to catch in this season’s Big Bash League and they head into this match with season stats showing nine wins against three defeats and no draws. With a run rate of 0.661, comfortably better than the rest of the pool, they look on course for the title; however, there will be many twists and turns between now and the final match. Victory here is a must as anything but a maximum would offer encouragement to those waiting in behind, poised to pounce on any mistakes.
Bookies have the Hobart win chalked up as favourite and backers will find no more than Coral’s 4/6 available. On the tight side, perhaps, but it’s a bet we suggest you add to your accumulators. If you do intend on following our thinking, make sure you get your cash down at Coral as many of their competitors are offering the same bet at 8/13.
Melbourne Renegades will be well versed on the importance of keeping this title race alive and they head into the clash within touching distance of their opponents. Score the upset here and they’ll blow the race for the prize wide open. It’s not a bet for us, but those who fancy taking a chance on the bigger price can back Renegades at 6/5 with Coral. An eye-catching quote and a bet that’ll give backers a run for their money.
Our Tip: Hobart to win – 4/6 at Coral
Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars, Friday 9.40am
Brisbane Heat has been written off by the money men to win this match and that won’t come as a massive shock to followers of the Big Bash League. Heat prepare for game 14 of their season with just five wins on the board and a painfully low -0.1 run rate. 11 points on the board place them sixth in the pile, otherwise known as third-bottom, and we don’t see a mad rush to support them to stop the rot anytime soon.
Punters who maybe see something here we don’t can back the underdogs at 11/10 with 888sport. Decent, and we certainly wouldn’t put anyone off; however, there’s not enough there to tempt us into snatching at the price. You can support Brisbane without taking them for the win as they are worth a second look in the highest opening partnership betting at even money with Bet365.
Melbourne Stars look a side worthy of our stake money and they travel with confidence in the camp, having won six of their first dozen to sit fourth in the pile. The favourites sit on 12 points and with Melbourne Renegades in third on 16 points, it looks like Stars won’t be climbing any higher than they are currently. There’s danger in behind, however, and that will keep them focussed on winning matches. Back Melbourne Stars to live up to expectations and grab the win at 4/5 with Bet365, better than the 4/6 that goes as the average in the betting.
Our Tip: Melbourne Stars to win – 4/5 at Bet365
Adelaide Strikers v Perth Scorchers, Saturday 4.00am
An early morning start to the weekend and we have what promises to be a thrilling match in Strikers v Scorchers from 4.00am on Saturday morning. This is a fixture that has kept bookies guessing and odds-makers appear to be happy to sit on the fence and let punters work things out for themselves. That’s great news for us and that indecisiveness will catch the attention of value hunters.
Adelaide Strikers line-up with season stats reading five wins against eight defeats and the 10 points on the board has them second from bottom of the table, with a -0.531 run rate. They have offered fans little to get excited about over the course of the campaign so far and we don’t expect there will be too much joy to come between now and the flag. Bookies do expect Strikers to grab win number six here, however, and Coral’s 8/11 is a price you’ll find available with most major firms.
Outsider Worth Backing
The reason Strikers are favourites is they are up against the only team currently worse off in the pecking order than they are with opponents Perth Scorchers ranked bottom. Four wins and nine defeats have them on eight points and if they fail to win this match, we expect them to finish exactly where they are. Will they throw themselves a lifeline here?
It’s highly unlikely, according to the odds, but if you disagree you can back the underdogs at a steady 11/10 with Ladbrokes. We’ll need our fair share of luck to have that bet paid out as a winner but we’re happy to take a chance on the bigger price in what should be a 50/50. Both teams are poor with confidence low, but it would come as no major shock to see Perth upset the odds and win this one.
A fast start is needed if they are to have any chance, so we suggest having an interest play on Perth Scorchers to record the highest first six overs. If that goes to plan you’ll be counting the profits of an 11/10 bet if taking advantage of Bet365’s market best price.
Our Tip: Perth Scorchers – 11/10 at Ladbrokes
Don’t forget to check out our other top betting tips and best cricket betting strategies.