Euroleague Basketball Predictions
The first week of the Euroleague regular season is here, and it will be an exciting one. There are a few new teams, some old favourites and -most importantly- many great games ahead. So, let’s dive straight into our Euroleague picks for the first week:
Our EuroLeague basketball tips appear under each mini game preview.
ASVEL Villeurbanne – Milano
Villeurbanne continues with coach Parker at the helm; they made some important additions like De Colo and Lauvergne and their main goal is to be as competitive as last year and maybe make the play-offs in the EuroLeague. They have started with a 1-2 record in the French Pro A and welcome Olimpia Milano.
Messina’s team changed several parts of its roster this summer, already lost the Italian Super Cup, and in the league’s opening round they edged out Brescia 78-77.
Neither of these two are on good form yet and focus on DeSean Thomas’ points exclusively. The American forward plays a good role in the rotation of the Italian team and being a good scorer he can easily confirm his personal over.
Tip: DeSaun Thomas Over 5.5 at 1.75
Panathinaikos – Real Madrid
Panathinaikos Athens and Real Madrid, two of the top teams in the EuroLeague, recently faced off in the playoffs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Both clubs will appear significantly different when they play each other to start their seasons. The Greens hired Dejan Radonjic as their new head coach over the summer, while Chus Mateo was advanced to the position by the Los Blancos.
This season, Panathinaikos has at least nine new players on the squad, while only having one player from that 2019 playoff series on the roster- centre Papagiannis. Even though Real only added four new players, including forwards Musa and Hezonja (the latter is a former player and a massive fan of Panathinaikos), they retained five players from the 2019 squad. Also, Sergio Rodriguez is back. To get the team’s season off to a strong start, the hosts will rely on Grigonis, Lee, and the Kalaitzakis brothers. When their teams meet, there will be a sizable number of new players to get acquainted to.
This is a hard one, but the home atmosphere of OAKA can make Panathinaikos competitive and at least we can watch a big clash here.
Tip: 1 (+7.5) at 1.90
Maccabi – Zalgiris
In their Round 1 matchup on Thursday in Israel, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Zalgiris Kaunas will both be looking to get their seasons off to a strong start. Here are some strategies for both parties to succeed.
This season, Maccabi took a risk on its roster believing speed and athleticism can outmuscle bigger sized opponents. The likes of Biruitas, Hayes, Smits, and Cavanaugh will put that to the test. Power forward Martin’s bonus triples might go a long way toward establishing the Zalgiris frontline’s capabilities in Round 1 if Nebo, Poythress, and Sorkin can hold their own against the bigger Zalgiris frontline.
Tip: Under 158.5 at 1.90
Bayern – Fenerbahce
Barcelona (21-6) takes on Maccabi (15-11). While Barcelona has already secured first place, Maccabi is battling for fifth.
Fenerbahce’s EuroLeague campaign kicks off against Bayern Munich in Munich. With Dimitrios Itoudis at the helm, the Turkish squad made a significant investment, acquiring players such as Nick Calathes, with the intention of returning to the top level. Of course, Bayern’s obstacle is significant. The Bavarians will be competitive with Andrea Trinchieri on the bench, but quality-wise, they do not belong on the top rack of the competition, and that is the only fact.
This is the reason we decided to put our faith in Fenerbahce. It’s not ideal to bet on favourites in a premiere, but at the odds of 1.80 we’re prepared to take the risk.
Tip: 2 at 1.80
Valencia – Baskonia
Valencia Basket and Baskonia start off the new EuroLeague season on Thursday, October 6, at La Fonteta. Both clubs added a few new players over the summer, but they preserved the most of their cores from previous season.
On the benches, Valencia and Baskonia have witnessed a significant shift. Valencia hired 2006 EuroCup winner Alex Mumbru, who will make his league coaching debut following four years with Bilbao Basket. On the other hand, Baskonia hired Valencia coach from last year, Joan Penarroya, so he will undoubtedly be familiar with his new team’s first opponent this season.
We’ll have trust in Marinkovic. Baskonia has made an investment in the Serbian guard this season, and he has the talent to load his stat sheet, therefore we will stick with his personal over points.
Tip: Marinkovic Over 10.5 at 1.95
(All prices correct at 06/10/2022, 08:15 CET, subject to change)
News Source: Euroleague.net
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Disclaimer: This is not investment or gambling advice. Always conduct your own independent research.
