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Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Predictions - Babar Azam to batter the faltering Stars

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Last updated: 07 Jan 2026

I'm predicting a win for the Sydney Sixers, with Babar Azam standing out as the top scorer. The betting odds are in favor at 2.15 for a Sixers win and 4.33 for Azam to score 50+ runs. Meanwhile, punters are backing Sam Harper to be the Melbourne Stars' best batter, with odds at 4.00. Additionally, Jack Edwards is poised to secure at least 2 wickets with odds at 2.62. Overall, the Sixers are positioned strongly with key players expected to perform well.

Simon Lewis 07 Jan 2026
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  • Babar Azam has scored 58 and 58* in his last four innings.
  • Sam Harper (251 runs, ave 83.66) is 1st in the Big Bash runs list.
  • Can the Sixers beat the Stars to secure a hat-trick of wins?
Babar Azam
Babar Azam hits out against the Renegades (Getty Images).

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Predictions


The Stars have lost their last two matches in a row, while the Sixers have won two on the bounce and three in four. The Stars average 161.2 runs in their last 5 matches, rising to 195.66 batting first in their last 3 innings. The Sixers average 157.4 in five and 167 runs batting first. The average total score at the MCG over 108 T20s is 300.24 runs.

  • Sydney Sixers’ Babar Azam scored 58* off 46 balls in the win over the Renegades.
  • Sydney Sixers’ Daniel Hughes has scored 25, 60 & 30 in his last 4 innings.
  • Melbourne Stars’ Sam Harper has scored 55, 110*, 29*, 37 & 20 in his last 5 innings.
  • Melbourne Stars’ Marcus Stoinis has scored 62*, 32* & 43 in his last 4 innings.

Head-to-Head


The Sixers have won two and lost three of their last five Big Bash matches against the Stars, who have won the last two matches in a row.

Melbourne Stars Form


After winning their opening four games on the bounce, the Stars suffered two defeats in a row when they lost to the Renegades by four wickets.

Sam Harper played a huge role in his side’s first four wins, but there hasn’t been enough support from the Stars’ top order. Marcus Stoinis has put in a great shift with bat and ball, and Campbell Kellaway has played some valuable cameos, but the rest of their batters have failed to fire.

The Stars’ bowlers have enjoyed plenty of success this season. Petter Siddle is the joint top wicket-taker in the Big Bash this season, taking 12 wickets at 14.58 in six games (econ 72.9). He shares top spot with Haris Rauf, whose 12 wickets have come at a cost of 17.66 runs apiece. Tom Curran is in fifth place on the list, taking 3/35, 3/26 and 2/22 in his side’s last three wins.

Sydney Sixers Form


The Sixers picked up back-to-back wins when they beat the Heat by three wickets with eight balls to spare.

Josh Philippe is their leading run-scorer and is 6th on the Big Bash runs list (196 runs, S/R 153.12). World Cup winner Sam Curran has joined up with the Stars after being Player of the Match for the Desert Vipers in the ILT20 final, scoring 74*. Babar Azam has four single-figure scores this season, but he has scored two impressive half-centuries and is due another score. 

Jack Edwards took 5/26 against the Thunder and hasn’t gone for more than 33 runs in a match this season. He is joint third on the wickets list with 11 wickets (ave 14.72, econ 7.36). He has also chipped in with scores of 46* and 32. Jacks Davies has scored 34* and 35* in their last two matches, in addition to taking eight wickets at a rate of just 5.50 runs an over. 

Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers Team News


The Stars have named an unchanged squad despite going down to the Renegades in their Melbourne derby. Veteran paceman Peter Siddle is in line to play his 100th Big Bash game. The Sixers have brought in Sam Curran for Kane Richardson for the clash with the Stars. 

Melbourne Stars (squad): Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Sam Hain, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Blake Macdonald, Hamish McKenzie, Haris Rauf, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitch Swepson.

Sydney Sixers (squad): Moises Henriques (c), Sean Abbott, Babar Azam, Sam Curran, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk.

Verdict

I am backing the Sixers to win, with Babar Azam to top score.
      
Best Bet1: Sydney Sixers Win Result $2.15 at 10bet - 1 Unit
Best Bet2: Babar Azam Score 50+ runs $4.33 at TicTacBets - 1 Unit
Best Bet3: Sam Harper Best Melbourne Stars Batter $4.00 at betway - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Total Runs Total Match Runs Under 328.5 $1.83 at 10bet - 1 Unit
Sydney Sixers Win
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