Barcelona entered this season as the main favorite to win the Spanish ACB and Euroleague, according to the bookmakers. Valencia Basket returned to the most prestigious European club basketball league once again, so they also have something to be proud of and joyful about. Both teams belong to the Spanish ACB elite and it has been the case for many years. Does all the above make me predict a close and intrigue-filled game? While it is very possible to see such a scenario happening, I believe in another thriller version written by the Catalan directors.
Barcelona is an accomplished unit, let us face it. They have balance and depth in all five positions, and they have one of the most experienced coaches in Europe in the face of Pesic. It is true their basketball is not the most beautiful version of playing there is, but it is effective in most cases. Barcelona falls out a bit from today’s club basketball content, especially in the background of very top teams, because they are playing old school basketball with a lot of sets, mixed tactics, and plenty of cool head. Barca relies on tactics prepared by Pesic, which often help them win without even playing well. For instance, Barca played bad against Zenit on Friday and they still won this Euroleague road game 87-63. Valencia also played badly in Piraeus and they lost it 63-89. Here you have the difference.
To do well and win a game, Valencia needs to play well. These days they are not powerful enough to drag out wins playing bad games. They need to use Dubljevic’s posting power inside the paint, they need good solutions on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop sets, and they also need a good percentage from the three-point range to get a positive result. Valencia does not have such a wide arsenal of weapons like their Catalan rivals, for starters, and they have also never been known as a side that travels well. After a long trip to Piraeus and a trashing away loss, now Valencia will have to take on hosting Barca. I do not value Valencia’s chances high here, even though it has to be noted that Barca also had to play on late Friday evening in St. Petersburg. Euroleague schedules have not become known for a merciful nature yet!
A home-court advantage, Valencia’s inefficiency on the road in the early season, and Barca’s longer and more versatile bench makes me predict a home win. If you also want to enjoy higher odds for this game, register for a betting account via the best betting software and place yourself among the winners!