Lottomatica Roma will put its four-game winning streak on the line Thursday when it hosts Alba Berlin at the Pallazzetto dello Sport in the Italian capital. Roma has not lost since opening night, when it went down to Alba in Berlin, and now leads Group C with a 4-1 record. Moreover, a win Thursday would increase Roma’s lead over the fifth place team in the group (Berlin) to three wins with only four games remaining, bringing head coach Jasmin Repesa’s squad to the brink of clinching a berth in the Top 16. But Roma may have a much different look when it takes the floor as three of its top players are in doubt. Center Primoz Brezec and guards Allan Ray and Sani Becirovic, who was named Euroleague Basketball’s MVP for the month of November this week, have all missed practice time this week with different injuries. Meanwhile Alba seeks its first road win of the season, which would propel head coach Luka Pavicevic’s men forward in the standings. Berlin enters the week tied for fourth place in the group with a 2-3 record, but is also only one win ahead of Union Olimpija, whom it lost to last week. Berlin continues to be at a disadvantage with star guard Julius Jenkins sidelined with an ankle problem.

Injuries of key players are not the only worries for Roma head coach. Another bad news comes from home arena. Since the regular venue with capacity of 10,400 spectators this week is unavailable the game will be held in the small, only 3,500 seats the Palasport di Viale Tiziano. As for the roster problems according to latest reports A.Ray is probable for the match (was in training yesterday), Jennings has influenza and is doubtful as well as Becirovic who is most probably out with ankle injury. Brezec left the last training with pain in the knee but expected to play. I really can't see Roma 100% ready for this game and taking into consideration their 4 consecutive losses in Italian basketball league I think that Repesa is not lying when call his team is not in good shape. Looks like they are experiencing drop down of the sporting form and I can't see them such hot favorites in this game.

ALBA on other side also has some problems especially in offense where they lack their offensive leader J.Jenkins. He is still out for this game but even without him I expect german team to stay in the game as they already did in Turkey and Slovenia. Defensively they are able to hold opponents under 77 points while in offense 65+ points is not looking like a dream for them.

Before the line for Euroleague was set I expected to see Roma as 6.5-8.5 points favorites of this game but when I saw the line I was suprised with 12.5 handicap. Now when Roma has so many negative news I really can't skip this game. It's hard to expect Alba win today in Italy because they still need to progress in psychological aspect and Euroleague experience but I believe that they will deliver some seriuos problems for Roma today.

My prediction: Roma will probably win by 4-9 points.

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