By Stathis Trapezanlides / info@eurohoops.net
The second leg of the regular season in EuroLeague tips off Thursday (9/1) and Eurohoops presents its betting choices for Round 18.
Barcelona – Anadolu Efes 2 (+5.5) / 1.71
We oppose the odds set for this match-up, as Efes is not that big of an outsider in this game and a 2.75 odd is appealing enough. However, we will trust in the hosts’ quality and will choose Efes’ victory with a handicap, since the game could even be decided at the final buzzer. The Turkish side has better chemistry than Barcelona and will seek to make up for the first round’s lost game in Istanbul.
Baskonia – Fenerbahce 2 / 1.76
Baskonia remains under crisis despite the change in the head coach position, as it keeps losing to teams with less quality. Their win against Barcelona was only an exception, not the rule. Fenerbahce has added players with quality to its roster, covering up missing spots in the team. They prevailed over Olympiacos with ease last week and it remains to be seen if it was just the beginning of their comeback. Their odds of the victory are worth considering, even though Baskonia has a tough home court.
ALBA Berlin – Maccabi Tel Aviv 2 (-4) / 1.71
Maccabi seems a bit out of shape in the last few weeks, if we keep in mind its injury plague. On top of that, coach Sfairopoulos has to ease the new players of the team into the rotation. This can affect the chemistry of the squad and needs time to get it just right again. However, they still remain more qualitative than hosts ALBA that is not convincing with its EuroLeague presence.
Finally, we trust the tradition of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos against Olimpia Milano and Valencia respectively. Their 2.02 and 3 odds are worth considering.
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