Sydney Thunder are set to be in action against Brisbane Heat in the 8th fixture of the ongoing BBL 2016-17 on December 28. The Sydney Showground Stadium will be the setting for this event. Live action is scheduled to begin at 7:10 PM local time.

Toss

The team that has batted second in the last two matches played at the Sydney Showground Stadium has emerged victors. Toss, therefore, will be an important element in this match and whichever team wins it is probably going to field first. Sydney Thunder lost their last two matches here batting first, making Brisbane Heat a good betting option if they bat second.

Sydney Thunder

Team News

Shane Watson is showing signs of recovery from calf injury and is likely to return to the side as skipper for this upcoming fixture. He will probably bat at the top of the order but may not bowl.

Key Players

With a half-century in the opening game of BBL 2016-17 against the Sixers, Ryan Gibson has scored 92 runs from two games and is averaging 46. He is their key batsman apart from Shane Watson and we predict him to make a significant contribution against the Heat. Andre Russell is bowling well having taken wickets in both the games so far and he along with Clint McKay will be the Thunder’s main weapons with the ball.

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The defending champions have made a disappointing start to their title defence this season with back-to-back defeats in their first two league matches. They were ordinary with both the bat and the ball in their previous tie against the Melbourne Renegades.

Brisbane Heat

Team News

There are no injuries in the team and all the players are match-fit. No changes are expected as far as playing eleven is concerned.

Key Players

Skipper Brendon McCullum is an explosive T20 batsman and the Heat will be looking to him to turn it on for them with the bat. Alex Ross notched up a fifty in his first innings and seems to be in good form. Ben Cutting and Mark Steketee will be the primary threats for the Thunder. Steketee took a three-for against the Strikers and we predict the pacer to take the most wickets here.

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Brisbane Heat have started off their campaign of BBL with a 10-run victory over Adelaide Strikers in their opening fixture. They are looking formidable as a batting unit but they their bowlers will have to step up after having nearly conceded a win to the Strikers.

Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Head-to-Head

The two teams have met five times since the inception of the Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat emerging winners on four occasions. Only once have the Sydney Thunder been able to defeat the Heat in the tournament and their solitary win came in the season before the last. Brisbane Heat won the last time these two sides squared off.

Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat Prediction

The only advantage Sydney Thunder seem to have over Brisbane Heat at the moment is that they will be taking them on at their home ground. They have a much better idea of the conditions here than the latter who may need some time to adapt. But then again, they haven’t had good results at this ground in recent times. They have lost five of their past seven matches here including defeats in the last three. Brisbane Heat have a great record over Sydney Thunder and they have made a solid start to the season. Though bowling is area they will need to work on a bit more, we still feel the former are better placed to win this match.

Sydney Thunder

Will Win the Match

Brisbane Heat

Will Win the Toss