In the Match No. 39 of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, the Perth Scorchers (SCO) will be seen facing the Melbourne Stars (STA) on Saturday, January 17 in a riveting contest at the Optus Stadium, Perth. The winner of this contest will move to the top of the points table, and gain better chances of making it to the grand finale.

Perth Scorchers have remained consistent throughout the season, barring a few occasional hiccups in between. Of the last five matches, they have won four and have the perfect opportunity to make it a hat-trick of wins in their final league stage game of the season.

They have already secured their place for the playoffs, but a win will ensure them a greater seeding.

The Melbourne Stars, on the other hand, have had a campaign similar to the Scorchers. They started with a superb winning streak, but seemed to have lost momentum in between. Nonetheless, the side returned to the winning ways in handsome fashion. Captain Marcus Stoinis would want his men to deliver a match-winning performance on Saturday.

SCO vs STA: Match Details

Match	Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars, Match 39, BBL 2025-26
Date and Time (IST)	Saturday, January 17; 2:45 PM
Venue	Optus Stadium, Perth
Broadcast and Live-Streaming	JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)

Optus Stadium, Perth: Pitch Report

Chasing has been a slightly difficult task historically in the Big Bash League games played at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The average first innings score is also in a relatively subpar range of 160s, indicating that the ball doesn't come onto the bat quite nicely here. 

SCO vs STA: Head-to-Head Record in T20s

Matches Played	24
Won by SCO	15
Won by STA	08
Tied	0
No Results	1
First-ever Fixture	January 04, 2012
Most-recent Fixture	December 15, 2024

SCO vs STA: Predicted Playing XIs Perth Scorchers

Ashton Turner (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Finn Allen, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Aaron Hardie, Laurie Evans, Cooper Connolly, Luke Hold, David Payne, Jhye Richardson, Mahli Beardman

Melbourne Stars

Tom Rogers, Sam Harper (wicketkeeper), Campbell Kellaway, Blake Macdonald, Marcus Stoinis (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Mitch Swepson

SCO vs STA: Probable Best Performers Probable Best Batter: Finn Allen

Finn Allen has been in terrific form for the Perth Scorchers in the ongoing season. After eight matches thus far, the star batter has hit 312 runs at a superlative strike-rate of 192.59, milking the most out of the powerplay overs. If Allen gets going in the upcoming match, it would mean nothing but danger for the Melbourne Stars.

Probable Best Bowler: Peter Siddle

The one bowler who has had the fans of all age groups glued to their TV screens in this BBL season has been the 41-year-old Peter Siddle. The right-arm pacer has picked up 15 scalps and is the joint-second highest-wicket taker of the season, tied alongside his compatriot Tom Curran. Siddle will be banking on his experience and form to deliver an important spell on Saturday.

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match