Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat predictions and cricket betting tips

Where to watch

Sky Sports Cricket & Sky Sports Mix, 8.15am Friday 

Best bet

Brisbane Heat highest opening partnership
1pt 10-11 general

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Sydney Thunder v Brisbane Heat preview

The Sydney Thunder came through a nervy final game of the Big Bash group stage to reach this eliminator against the Brisbane Heat, who themselves ceded home advantage for this clash with a shock defeat to the Hobart Hurricanes.

Batting was an issue for both teams as they struggled to chase scores of 120 and 119 respectively. 

David Warner has played in the last five games for the Thunder but has failed to show his best form, hitting just 63 runs across his five innings.

Due in part to Warner’s struggles, Sydney have recorded four opening partnerships of four or less in that run and they look worth taking on in a highest opening partnership market in which both teams are chalked up at 10-11.

Michael Neser and Spencer Johnson have impressed with the ball for the Heat and they are fancied to make early inroads into the Thunder line-up given their struggles.

The Thunder and Heat are big prices to win the tournament outright, 16-1 and 18-1 respectively, because they will have to win four games in a row in win the competition.

The winner of this fixture faces third-placed Melbourne Renegades in the knockout round on Sunday, with the winner of that contest going on to face whichever of the top two - the Perth Scorchers and the Sydney Sixers - loses Saturday's qualifier.

Table-topping Perth are 6-5 with the Sixers at 13-8, while the Renegades are on offer at 8-1.

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