Hobart Hurricanes are favored to win this match as the defending Big Bash League champions who won the 2024-25 title, while Melbourne Stars remain the only franchise yet to win the BBL title. The Hurricanes have demonstrated strong form this season with recent victories, including a 102* century from Mitchell Marsh on January 1, 2026, giving them momentum heading into this January 21 fixture with DexWin - Best Odds on Your Favourite Sports.

The match starts at 8:30 AM UTC on January 21, 2026, which corresponds to 7:00 PM AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on the same date, allowing for evening viewing in Australia.

The venue for this match is the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) or a secondary Melbourne venue such as the Citi Power Centre or Junction Oval, as Melbourne Stars typically host home matches at these locations during the Big Bash League season.

Hobart Hurricanes are predicted to win based on their status as defending champions and superior recent form, including their dominant 2024-25 season performance where they defeated Sydney Thunder in the final with Mitch Owen scoring 108 runs from 42 deliveries. Melbourne Stars have yet to win a BBL title in the franchise's history, placing them at a disadvantage in this matchup.

In their head-to-head record, Hobart Hurricanes have maintained a competitive record against Melbourne Stars throughout Big Bash League history, with the Hurricanes winning the 2024-25 title and demonstrating consistent performance this season. Recent encounters show the Hurricanes' strength, particularly with their batting depth and bowling capabilities that have proven effective against the Stars' lineup.