Adelaide Strikers vs. Melbourne Renegades – Big Bash League, January 8, 2021

Following Tuesday’s comfortable 59-run win for Adelaide, the Strikers and the Renegades clash for the second time in four days on Friday, January 8.

The Gades find themselves rock bottom of the table, having won just one of their eight matches this season. Meanwhile, a run of three wins in five games has seen the South Australians climb to fourth.

Can Michael Klinger’s men gain their revenge on Friday? Keep reading to see my Adelaide Strikers vs. Melbourne Renegades prediction and betting pick.

Throughout the early stages of the season, 10bet has been dishing uptight odds. However, the price for the Adelaide win has to be the lowest I’ve seen for any BBL 10 matchup.

The Strikers (1.48) cruised past the Renegades (2.45) earlier in the week, and the bookies are clearly expecting a similar outcome on Friday.

The Strikers’ record of W4-L4 suggests that the team has been inconsistent this season. But when you consider that Jason Gillespie’s men are 12 points clear of the Gades and only four points behind league-leaders Sixers, there is no denying that Adelaide has made a positive start to BBL 10.

Before Tuesday’s clash, the South Australians had already claimed three big scalps – the Hurricanes, the Heat, and the Scorchers. Still, their previous performance was their best of the campaign so far.

After struggling to get going with the bat, Jake Weatherald (51) and Ryan Gibson (43*) managed to fire the Strikers to 171/5. But when the Renegades came out to bat, it was all about Adelaide’s bowlers.

Veteran Peter Siddle claimed figures of 3/16, rising star Wes Agar finished on 3/23, while overseas import Danny Briggs took 2/17 from his four overs.

The Strikers’ bowling attack is arguably one of the strongest and most versatile in the competition. Let’s not forget that the squad also boasts Rashid Khan – the number-one ranked T20 bowler in the world right now.

14 wickets in #BBL10. There's a BKT Golden Cap waiting for you after this, Wes ?@BKTTires | #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/YdUPaZJU8e

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 5, 2021

It could be argued that the Renegades have made the worst start to a campaign in Big Bash history. Indeed, seven defeats in eight games have seen the Melbourne franchise become well and truly cut adrift at the bottom of the standings.

The Gades had already posted three sub-100 scores before facing the Strikers on Tuesday, and they very nearly added another to their unwanted tally last time out.

Aaron Finch was caught behind the first ball, yet Mackenzie Harvey (34) and Sam Harper (31) appeared to steady the ship. However, after the young pair were dismissed, the next eight batsmen could only muster up 39 runs between them.

Klinger’s men were bowled out for just 111 – their fourth-lowest score of the tournament. I really am struggling to see how the Renegades can turn things around.

Given the manner with which the Strikers’ bowling attack tore through the Renegades’ batting line-up on Tuesday, anything other than an Adelaide win would be a big shock on Friday.

We all know that Klinger’s squad is packed with talent, but the team just isn’t clicking at the moment. I’m backing the Strikers to secure back-to-back victories over the off-form Gades.