Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Match Prediction: Who will win the BBL 2025/26 Qualifier?

Perth Scorchers face Sydney Sixers in BBL 2025/26 qualifier [Source: ScorchersBBL, shaibal_27/X.com]

The table toppers of BBL 2025/26, Perth Scorchers, are set to face Sydney Sixers at the Optus Stadium, Perth, in the Qualifier on January 20, with a place in this season's final at stake after they finished just a point above the Sydney-based team in the league.

The five-time champions, Scorchers, last met the four-time champions in the first match of the tournament at the same venue, when the game was shortened to 11 overs, and Perth had chased down 114 runs with 5 balls remaining. The game ended up becoming the difference between the two teams on the points table, as the Ashton Turner-led Scorchers earned the hosting rights of this playoff.

As the two BBL heavyweights collide, below is a brief look at their respective forms, best players and predictions for the big match.

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers current form (Last 5 matches)

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers: Player Battles

Finn Allen vs Sean Abbott

The explosive New Zealand batter is in some serious form in the ongoing Big Bash League season, with 381 runs at a strike rate of 189.55 in 9 innings, with 2 fifties and a hundred to his name. He would like to continue his form and take an over or two to settle before he unleashes for the rest of the innings, and as a senior bowler, who will open the bowling for the Sixers, it will be interesting to see how Sean Abbott takes some responsibility and fares against Allen.

Steve Smith vs Joel Paris

Since joining the Sixers after the end of the Ashes series, Steve Smith has batted freely in his three innings for the men in pink, scoring 173 runs at a strike rate of 176.53, with a fifty and a hundred to his name.

On the other hand, Joel Paris, who has taken 11 wickets this season, is among the successful powerplay bowlers this season, picking 6 wickets in 20 overs, conceding at an economy of just 6.30. The winner of this battle would put their team in front early in the innings.

Aaron Hardie vs Jack Edwards

Aaron Hardie has scored 135 runs (third highest) in overs 16 to 20 in the ongoing BBL season, while striking at a rate of 198.53 with 16 fours and five sixes to his name, and he will be up against Jack Edwrds, who has 8 wickets in this phase in just 12 overs. This will be a crucial battle which will dictate which team heads into the tunnel with momentum at the end of the first innings or potentially chase/defend the score in the second innings.

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers top performers

Most runs for PS vs SS in BBL (current players)

Scorchers' skipper Ashton Turner is their leading run-scorer against the Sixers, having gotten 626 runs in 24 innings, striking at 158.48 and scoring 6 fifties.

Most wickets for PS vs SS in BBL (current players)

Andrew Tye is Perth's leading wicket-taker against SS with 32 scalps in 22 innings, averaging 20.06 and has an economy rate of just 7.89. He has a strike rate of 15.2, and his best figures read 4/20.

Most runs for SS vs PS in BBL (current players)

Similar to the Scorchers, the Sixers' skipper, Moises Henriques, has the most runs against the opponent, with 554 runs in 23 innings, including 3 fifties to his name. He has a strike rate of 129.74.

Most wickets for SS vs PS in BBL (current players)

Right-arm quick bowler Sean Abbott is the Sixers' best bowler against the Scorchers. He has 30 wickets in 22 outings, averaging 23.4 at a strike rate of 15.4 and an economy of 9.07. 4/43 are his best figures in these encounters.

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers toss prediction

The Optus Stadium in Perth offers great help for the pacers early in the innings, with the extra bounce on offer. However, when the surface settles down in the second innings, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, making it a favourable venue for the teams batting second. The pitch will also assist bowlers who are good at mixing up the pace and using their slower variations well.

So far in the season, the venue has not seen too many big scores in the first innings, and a score around 155-160 would be considered par. The team winning the toss will prefer to chase here.

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay - 42/1

End of the innings - 147/6

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay - 45/1

End of the innings - 148/4

Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers top players prediction

Perth Scorchers top player prediction

Finn Allen, Cooper Connolly

Sydney Sixers top player prediction

Steve Smith, Sam Curran

Who will hit the most sixes in PS vs SS, BBL Qualifier?

Finn Allen

Who will hit the most fours in PS vs SS, BBL Qualifier?

Aaron Hardie

PS vs SS Match winner Prediction: Who will win BBL 2025/26, Qualifier?

Both teams are coming to the big Qualifier match in rich form, winning four of their last five matches each. While the toss will play a role in determining the result and the team, which will seal a spot in the final, it is likely that the Perth Scorchers use the home conditions to their advantage and win a close game against the Sixers, who will then have to face the winner of the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars.