Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, BBLT20, Today Match Prediction 13 January 2024

MLR vs MLS Match Prediction & Analysis

The 2023/24 Big Bash League is getting towards the dreaded end of the group stage which is known as the 'business end' where teams are being picked off and for some sides, the season comes to an early finish!

That is certainly the case for Melbourne Renegades who ended a run of three successive bottom placed finishes with third place last season but they have now reverted to type and look set for another bottom of the pack conclusion.

Melbourne Stars are currently in fifth place but won four successive fixtures before losing their last match. They remain massively in the mix for a top four place.

But in spite of all of the above, it all counts for nothing in a derby between the Renegades and the Stars on Saturday night!

RECENT PERFORMANCE

MLR

L L W L L

MLR

147/4 in 20.0 7.35

BBLT20

Hobart Hurricanes beat Melbourne Renegades by 6 wickets 04 Jan 2024

HBH

148/4 in 18.4 7.93

MLS

101/2 in 12.1 8.3

BBLT20

Toss delayed due to wet outfield 02 Jan 2024

MLR

97/7 in 14.0 6.93

MLR

178/6 in 18.4 9.53

BBLT20

Melbourne Renegades beat Adelaide Strikers by 4 wickets 29 Dec 2023

ADS

177/6 in 20.0 8.85

PRS

162/10 in 19.4 8.24

BBLT20

Perth Scorchers beat Melbourne Renegades by 13 runs 26 Dec 2023

MLR

149/8 in 20.0 7.45

HBH

187/4 in 19.0 9.84

BBLT20

Hobart Hurricanes beat Melbourne Renegades by 6 wickets 23 Dec 2023

MLR

183/5 in 20.0 9.15

MLS

L W W W W

MLS

156/4 in 20.0 7.8

BBLT20

Sydney Sixers beat Melbourne Stars by 7 wickets 06 Jan 2024

SYS

157/3 in 18.1 8.64

MLS

101/2 in 12.1 8.3

BBLT20

Toss delayed due to wet outfield 02 Jan 2024

MLR

97/7 in 14.0 6.93

ADS

205/4 in 20.0 10.25

BBLT20

Melbourne Stars beat Adelaide Strikers by 7 wickets 31 Dec 2023

MLS

211/3 in 19.0 11.11

HBH

155/10 in 19.4 7.88

BBLT20

Melbourne Stars beat Hobart Hurricanes by 7 wickets (D/L) method 28 Dec 2023

MLS

67/3 in 6.3 10.31

SYS

154/8 in 20.0 7.7

BBLT20

Melbourne Stars beat Sydney Sixers by 4 wickets 26 Dec 2023

MLS

155/6 in 19.3 7.95

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

Melbourne Renegades Preview

Once again, Melbourne Renegades have shown that having a team with some big name players is not sufficient for a successful BBL season. Incredibly, a team which has included 2023 Cricket World Cup stars, in Quinton de Kock and former Melbourne Stars spinner Adam Zampa, has produced only one victory all campaign.

de Kock has now jumped ship and joined up with the SA20 in his native South Africa and that could actually be a positive for the Renegades who can now give Jordan Cox an opportunity at the top of the order as well as with the gloves. A big problem for the side has been their lack of penetration with the pacers and that could well be the issue again in this match.

Nothing has been announced yet but do not be surprised if Aaron Finch comes back into the squad for a final Melbourne derby in this his swansong BBL season.

Melbourne Renegades Predicted Playing XI:

Shaun Marsh, Jordan Cox (wk), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Finch, Jonathan Wells, Will Sutherland (c), Ruwantha Kellepotha, Tom Rogers, Fergus O’Neill, Adam Zampa, Peter Siddle

Melbourne Renegades Actual Playing XI:

Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson, Jake Fraser McGurk, Shaun Marsh, Jonathan Wells, Thomas Rogers, Aaron Finch, Will Sutherland, Fergus O’Neill, Jordan Cox, Akeal Hosein

Melbourne Stars Preview

The Stars had beaten the Sixers, Hurricanes, Strikers and Renegades in successive games prior to their heavy defeat, by 7 wickets with 11 balls remaining against Sydney Sixers in Match 28. But defeat to the Sixers is no disgrace and we expect Glenn Maxwell will have no issues with self-belief or confidence within his group ahead of this game.

Captain Maxwell has always been a freak of nature with his batting ability and he took it to yet another level in the last game when he hit 31 runs from only 14 balls. For comparison purposes, Dan Lawrence hit 36 runs from 24 balls and Marcus Stoinis made 34 not out from 30 balls - both impressive innings on a tough batting surface but Maxwell is on a different level. He will also relish the attention and intensity around this derby match.

With the ball, Scott Boland is back on international duty and we expect the bowling threat to come from Joel Paris, Imad Wasim and that man Maxwell once again.

Melbourne Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Thomas Rogers, Dan Lawrence, Beau Webster, Glenn Maxwell (c), Marcus Stoinis (c), Hilton Cartwright, Imad Wasim, Peter Handscomb (wk), Jonathan Merlo, Joel Paris, Mark Steketee

Melbourne Stars Actual Playing XI:

Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster, Joel Paris, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Imad Wasim, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Dan Lawrence, Peter Handscomb

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There will be plenty of heat in this fixture and the humidity levels of over 65% will help to keep tempers hot and sticky on Saturday evening. No rain is forecast to cool down the players so we will not have any interruptions due to the weather.

MLR vs MLS Pitch Report

It is never the easiest place to bat and the Marvel Stadium continues to offer assistance to the quick bowlers as well as turn for the spinners. According to previous games at the venue, a first innings score of over 150 could well be enough to get the victory for either side!

Toss: To Bowl

Bowling first remains the choice of most in this tournament and on this pitch, which is expected to be bowler friendly, we expect both captains to opt to field first if they get the opportunity to choose. That said, Melbourne Renegades no longer have anything to lose so do not rule out them deciding to bat first if they win the bat flip!