Big Bash League: Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat match Preview and prediction 

The Renegades, unbeaten in the tournament so far, defeated the Heat by 22 runs in the first leg last week. The Renegades scored 166 runs, with captain Nic Maddinson scoring his tenth fifty in BBL history. 

In their last match, the Renegades prevailed by four wickets against Sydney Thunder.

The Renegades will rely on West Indian spin bowling all-rounder Akeal Hossain and expect the spin to continue. Matthew Kuhnemann can pose a significant threat alongside leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in the Heat's lineup.

For the Renegades, former Australian captain Aaron Finch found his batting touch early in the season, which should pose a threat to the Heat.

Pitch Report

The Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Renegades will be the first game at Simonds Stadium in Geelong this season. The pitch offers plenty of bounce, which benefits the pacers, but the spinners usually have more success on this surface. It is a highly playable wicket so a high-scoring game can be expected.

Head-to-head

Total match - 18

Melbourne Renegades won - 12

Brisbane Heat - 6

Players to watch

Nic Maddinson

Aaron Finch

Akeal Hosein

Match Prediction: Melbourne Renegades will beat Brisbane Heat, as in the 18 matches played against each other, Melbourne Renegades won 12, while Brisbane won only 6.

Squad:

Brisbane Heat squad: Josh Brown, Max Bryant, Colin Munro, Sam Billings, Jimmy Peirson(w/c), Ross Whiteley, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw

Melbourne Renegades squad: Sam Harper(w), Nic Maddinson(c), Aaron Finch, Jonathan Wells, Jake Fraser McGurk, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Will Sutherland, Tom Rogers, Kane Richardson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mackenzie Harvey, David Moody, Corey Rocchiccioli