Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Sixers – Big Bash League Final, Friday, January 28, 2022

Those of you who follow the Big Bash League will not be surprised that the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers will go head-to-head in the BBL|11 final this Friday, January 28.

Not only have both sides won three titles over the years, but they have also faced each other in the final four times. After the Sixers beat Perth in the inaugural BBL final, the Scorchers triumphed in 2015 and 2017 before the Sydneysiders defeated the Western Australians in last season’s Decider.

Who will come out on top this time around? After discussing the odds, looking at head-to-head statistics, and analyzing the teams, I will share my Perth Scorchers vs. Sydney Sixers prediction and betting pick.

All the leading cricket sportsbooks view Perth (1.50) as the favorite to lift the trophy on Friday. That is hardly surprising, though. The Scorchers have been the best team in the comp by some distance this season.

Battling a number of injuries and COVID-19 cases, the Sixers (2.63) head into the showpiece as underdogs. Despite winning the last two titles, the reigning champions are not favored to defend their crown.

Before we get to my Big Bash final prediction, let’s check out the head-to-head record.

The Scorchers have enhanced their impressive record against the Sixers in recent weeks. Indeed, the Western Australians have already beaten the Sydneysiders on three occasions this season.

That means Perth has won 14 of the 23 meetings between the teams, with the Sixers picking up nine victories. It is worth noting, however, that Shipperd’s side beat the Scorchers in last season’s final.

It’s time to take a closer look at the teams.

The Scorchers finished five points clear of the Sixers on the ladder, winning 11 of their 14 regular-season matches. After kicking off their campaign with a six-match winning streak, they have won four of their past five outings.

Having claimed ten-run and five-wicket victories over the Sixers during the regular season, Voges’ men made light work of the Sydneysiders in the Qualifier – crushing their rivals by 49 runs.

Kurtis Patterson (390), Colin Munro (389), and Mitch Marsh (342) have scored well over 1,000 runs between them this season. They have been supported by Aston Turner (303) and Laurie Evans (285) throughout the campaign.

Ultimately, the Scorchers have produced consistent performances in every department. Not only have they starred with both bat and ball, but they have also kept things tight in the field.

The Sixers always find a way to win, don’t they? Despite fielding a seriously understrength team on Wednesday, they managed to beat the Strikers and book their spot in yet another final.

The bowling duo of Hayden Kerr (98*) and Sean Abbott (41) got the Sixers over the line, hitting the winning runs with the final ball of the match. But can they fire their side to an unlikely win on Friday? I’m not so sure.

Let’s not forget that Steve Smith was also denied the opportunity to represent the Sixers after playing a key role in Australia’s Ashes demolition of England.

The Men in Magenta won six of their opening seven matches before enduring a run of four defeats in seven outings. Having started the campaign in eye-catching form, they have taken a turn for the worse recently.

I’m confident that Perth will lift the trophy on Friday. Even if the Sixers fielded a full-strength team, the Scorchers would have more than enough firepower to get the job done.

With half their team missing, the Sixers will struggle to compete with Perth. Kerr and Abbott produced heroics with the bat on Wednesday, but they can’t be expected to carry the team through the final.

At the end of the day, the Scorchers have been operating on a totally different level to everyone else this season. That’s why I’m backing them to pick up their fourth BBL title in nine seasons at Marvel Stadium.

Unfortunately for the Sixers, injuries and COVID have hit them at the worst possible time. Of course, the defending champions will give their all on Friday. But they will likely be denied the chance to secure the three-peat.

The Scorchers thoroughly deserve to win the title this season. Having already claimed three victories over the Sixers in 2021-22, they should seal the deal in Melbourne.