BlueBet previews the BBL08 Round 1<\/strong> action below. Read on for our best betting tips per game and an overview of the feature games this week.<\/p>\n 19 Dec 2018, 6:15pm (AEDT) – Gabba, Brisbane<\/strong><\/p>\n Odds: Heat $1.82, Strikers $2<\/a><\/p>\n BBL08 begins at the Gabba as the Brisbane Heat take on the last seasons premiers, the Adelaide Strikers. For the home side, they ended BBL07 with 4 straight defeats in a fairly poor season. So they should be keen for a fresh start in this contest. The key will be getting runs on the board through Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum at the top of the order. Lynn only played 5 games last season but he loves bashing sixes at the Gabba. McCullum played all 10 games but scored just 248 runs at an average of 24.8. So in a tough matchup against the Strikers bowling lineup, the Heat top order will need to score 170+ if they bat first. The Strikers will be missing Travis Head and that sees them as underdogs in the betting. However, they have the depth to cover Head and they also enjoy playing at the Gabba. In Big Bash history, they’re yet to lose at this venue in the 3 games these two sides have played here. Last seasons meeting was played in Adelaide and the Strikers comfortably defended 147 by bowling the Heat out for 91. So I think the Heat will struggle for runs again as they face a tough test against the likes of Stanlake\/Rashid Khan. While the Strikers will miss the batting of Travis Head, Alex Carey and Weatherald will provide enough cover. They both scored over 380 runs last season and it’s hard to forget Weatherald’s 115 in the final last season. In the end, I like the chances of an upset in the first game because of the Strikers bowling advantage and their record at the Gabba.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Adelaide is undefeated at the Gabba in 3 games. Brisbane has lost its last 2 games at home.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Strikers are 4-3 against the Heat and have won 3 of the last 4 clashes.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Strikers WIN $2<\/a><\/p>\n 20 Dec 2018, 6:15pm (AEDT) – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne<\/strong><\/p>\n Odds: Scorchers $1.85, Renegades $1.96<\/a><\/p>\n In game 2 on Thursday, the Renegades and Scorchers will start their BBL campaign in Melbourne. The home side will be missing Aaron Finch and they have lost Dwayne Bravo to the Stars in the offseason. So they will place even more reliable on Cameron White to score the majority of their runs. In 8 games last season, he scored 304 runs at an average of 76. But this looks like a tough challenge for the Renegades as they face the Scorchers bowling lineup. There is no Mitch Johnson this season but their fast bowling depth is good enough to cover him. Andrew Tye is coming off 16 wickets in just 6 games last season and the return of Jason Behrendorff from injury will be good news for Perth. Throw in Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson, on paper the Scorchers have arguably the best bowling stocks in the competition. There’s also the fact that the Scorchers have owned the Renegades with 8 straight wins since 2010. They’ve also won 4 in a row against them in Melbourne. So with the Renegades batting lineup under strength for this clash, I can see the Scorchers starting the season with a fairly comfortable win.<\/p>\n Stadium Record<\/strong><\/p>\n Melbourne have lost 3 games in a row at Marvel Stadium. The Scorchers are 4-0 at this venue since 2010.<\/p>\n Head to Head Record<\/strong><\/p>\n The Scorchers are 8-0 against the Renegades since 2010.<\/p>\n Best Bet<\/strong><\/p>\n Scorchers WIN $1.85<\/a><\/p>\nBrisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers<\/h3>\n
\nMelbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers<\/h3>\n
\nSydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars<\/h3>\n