Published on: Dec 31, 2025 10:58 am IST | Updated on: Jan 14, 2026 1:40 pm IST
It’s 2026, and it’s time for the New Year’s match of BBL 2025-26. The Melbourne Renegades are back home at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne to host the 3-time champions, Sydney Sixers. This would be the 18th match of the tournament and the first of the two games of Thursday’s doubleheader. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 18th match of BBL 2025-26, MR vs SS, at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
The Sydney Sixers have been all over Melbourne Renegades in BBL history in head-to-head contests. The Renegades have been struggling already in this season, having won only 1 out of 3 matches. They will look to maintain their dominance over the Renegades, therefore, expect the win probability meter to favor the Sixers yet again. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 18th match of BBL 2025-26, MR vs SS, at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
MR: 54% win chance HH: 46% win chance
A ton in the opening game followed by 60 runs in the next two games, Tim Seifert has been the standout performer for the Renegades so far and will be a key bet in this game.
Josh Philippe has been consistent in this tournament so far and is scoring at will. The wicket-keeper batter is Sixers' leading run scorer in the tournament thus far.
The Pakistan wicket-keeper batter is yet to fire in the competition. He has only 52 runs to his name from 3 innings, but a player of his caliber can't be kept quiet for long. Expect Rizwan to finally deliver in this game.
The left-hand opening batter has so far scored 96 runs from 4 innings in this competition and will be looking to add more runs to his tally.
Check out our prediction for the MR vs SS 18th match at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
The Melbourne Renegades will be desperate to turn their fortunes around as they host the Sydney Sixers in the New Year’s clash of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at Docklands Stadium. This marks the 18th match of the tournament and the first of Thursday’s doubleheader, adding extra spotlight to the contest.
The Renegades have endured a tough start to their campaign, winning just one of their first three matches and finding themselves anchored at the bottom of the points table. Their batting has lacked consistency, while the bowling unit has struggled to deliver breakthroughs at crucial moments. Playing at home, however, offers them a chance to regroup and reignite their season in front of their supporters.
Facing the three-time champions Sydney Sixers will be no easy task, as the visitors bring experience, depth, and momentum into the fixture. Yet, the Renegades know that a victory here could be the spark they need to climb out of last place and restore confidence. With pride and points at stake, expect a spirited performance from the hosts as they aim to kick off 2026 on a winning note.
Sydney Sixers will be determined to bounce back and return to winning ways when they face the Melbourne Renegades in match 18 of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at Docklands Stadium. The Sixers have endured a shaky start to the season, with three losses and just one win from their first four matches, leaving them at the fourth spot on the points table.
Despite their current form, history strongly favors the Sixers in this matchup. They have utterly dominated the Renegades over the years, winning nine consecutive games against them. That remarkable streak gives them a psychological edge heading into this contest, as they aim to secure their 10th straight victory over the struggling Renegades.
The Sixers will rely on their experienced core to step up and deliver, with both batters and bowlers needing to find rhythm quickly. For the Renegades, this clash is about breaking the jinx and climbing out of the bottom spot, but the Sixers’ track record makes them formidable opponents. Fans can expect a high-intensity battle, with Sydney eager to re-establish momentum and reinforce their dominance over Melbourne yet again. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 19 MR won: 5 HH won: 14 No Result: 0 Tied: 0 RECENT form SYDNEY SIXERS: L L L W L RECENT form MELBOURNE RENEGADES: L W W L L
The Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades have 19 meetings against each other in the past. The Sixers have sheerly dominated this head-to-head battle by winning 14 games. Poor Renegades have managed only 5 wins.
How will the two teams, i.e., Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers, fare in the 18th match of the Big Bash League 2025-26? Let’s take a look.
Josh Brown, Tim Seifert, Jake Fraser‑McGurk/Caleb Jewell, Muhammad Rizwan (WK), Oliver Peake, Will Sutherland (C), Hassan Khan, Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Gurinder Sandhu, Adam Zampa
Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (WK), Moises Henriques (C), Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Ben Manenti, Sean Abbott, Kane Richardson
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 18th match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 between Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers at the Docklands Stadium, Melbourne:
At Docklands Stadium, captains usually prefer batting first due to the surface’s batting-friendly nature and shorter boundaries. Expect the toss winner to set a target, aiming for 160+ to pressure the opposition. Chasing can be tricky under lights, making early runs crucial for control in this contest.
The online live streaming of the 18th match of the Big Bash League 2025 will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on Star Sports Channels.
The Sixers have dominated Renegades in the past and the same can be expected in this game as well. Moises Henriques and his men have already won 9 games on the trot against the Renegades and will be looking for their 10th win on the bounce against this opposition. Expect the Sixers to have the last laugh at the Docklands Stadium. Therefore, as per our prediction, the Sydney Sixers are expected to win the MR vs SS, Match 18 of the Big Bash League 2025.
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