The 2023/24 Big Bash League reaches its climax over the next few days with the BBL Finals taking place. Only four franchises remain, and the Sydney Sixers (+150) will start the final phase as the betting favorites. The Sixers are looking to win the competition for a fourth time. Here, we look at their chances in our latest cricket betting picks.
- What; 2023/24 Men’s Big Bash League (BBL|13) Playoffs
- Where; Australia
- When; January 19th, - January 24th, 2024
- Defending Champions; Perth Scorchers
The Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, Perth Scorchers, and Adelaide Strikers are the four franchises who have made it through to the playoffs.
The Brisbane Heat topped the table with 16 points, winning seven of their ten matches. That doesn’t tell the whole story though, as they only lost one of the three matches they didn’t win, with two matches abandoned as no results.
Brisbane finished two points clear of the second-placed Sydney Sixers, who ended on 14 points after sensationally beating the Perth Scorchers to second spot by defeating them by three wickets in their final group match on Tuesday. The Scorchers ended in third on 13 points, with the Adelaide Strikers clinching the final spot, finishing fourth on 11 points.
BBL|13 Playoff Format
We're all set for the #BBL13 Finals 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LsEgOwD1Ox
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2024
The format is a slightly complicated affair, with four matches used to decide who wins the competition. The reward for finishing in the top two positions in the table is a place in the Qualifier. Topping the table is also important, as the table-topper gets home advantage.
The winner of the Qualifier advances straight to the final. The loser gets a second chance in the Challenger match. Next is the Knockout match. This is between 3rd and 4th in the table. The winner of the Knockout match advances to the Challenger, where they will face the loser of the Qualifier. The loser of the Knockout is out.
- Qualifier (1st vs 2nd/Brisbane Heat vs. Sydney Sixers)
- Knockout (3rd vs 4th/Perth Scorchers vs. Adelaide Strikers)
- Challenger (Qualifier Loser vs Knockout Winner)
- The Final (Qualifier Winner vs Challenger Winner)
Moving on, and whoever wins the Challenger will then face the winner of the Qualifier in the Final.
The benefits of finishing in the top two of the table are clearer now. Whichever team finishes in the top two can win the Big Bash League in two matches. The loser of the Qualifier and the 3rd and 4th placed teams will need to play three fixtures to win the competition, making the task far harder.
Betting to win BBL|13
According to the best cricket betting online sites, the favorites going into the playoffs are the Sydney Sixers at +150. At the start of the competition, the Sixers were +450, second favorites. As the Sixers are playing in the Qualifier, they only potentially need to win two matches to win the competition.
Also playing in the Qualifier and potentially only needing two victories to win the competition is the Brisbane Heat. As the winners of the regular-season table, the Heat have home advantage.
But with Gabba not available to use (it’s going to host the 2nd Test between Australia and West Indies), the hosts have to play their home match at the less familiar Carrara Oval. This slightly takes away home advantage for the Heat. And as a result, to win the Big Bash outright, the Brisbane Heat are second favorites at +187.
The two teams taking part in Saturday’s Knockout match have to win three matches to win the competition. The Knockout match involves the defending champions, the Perth Scorchers, who finished third in the table, and the fourth-placed team, the Adelaide Strikes.
In the outright winner betting, the Scorchers are +350. The Scorchers - who will have home advantage in the Knockout - started the competition as the +260 favorites, meaning their odds have drifted. Finally, the Adelaide Strikers are the outsiders at +700.
For Adelaide to win BBL|13, they will need to beat the Scorchers in Perth, then defeat the loser of the Qualifier in the Challenger match, and then win the final. That’s one hell of a big ask.
The latest cricket betting odds to win the competition can be found on our BBL|13 betting table.
| BBL|13 Winning Team Betting |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Sixers | +150 | +150 | +150 |
| Brisbane Heat | +187 | +187 | +187 |
| Perth Scorchers | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Adelaide Strikers | +700 | +700 | +700 |
Our Pick to Win BBL|13
All four of these franchises have been hit by player withdrawals for international cricket and players having to leave to play in different competitions. The team least affected is likely to win the competition.
Seven players will miss the #BBL13 knockout stages in order to play #ILT20 in the UAE.
Three Englishmen - who have a single international cap between them - are the only overseas signings left at the BBL 👀
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 17, 2024
The Perth Scorchers were our original favorites. And although they haven’t been at their best this season, they have a tried and tested formula that sees them less affected by international call-ups.
Zak Crawley has left Perth to join up with England, and star bowler Jhye Richardson is out of the rest of the competition with an injury. But Perth coped without Richardson (and still won the competition) this time last year when he was injured. And they knew they would have no Crawley at the business end of the competition.
The Brisbane Heat will be dangerous and have been the best team in the competition. They could be worth a small side wager. But we are going to stick with our original pick to win BBL|13, the Perth Scorchers.
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