Cibona - Asvel Villeurbanne

Big game for both teams but French teams never were good in such type of games and I don't believe that something will change in this game. Honestly speaking I don't like Cibona ugly style of game too but the more important factor that Cibona knows and used to get result when they need to. Few weeks ago they had do or die game against Fenerbahce and they were in trouble when had -20 to the scoreboad but they managed to win. Now things should be easier because Asvel does not have big centers like Fener and Cibona should be able to lock their paint from easy points.

Asvel has huge problems in half court offense because they don't have strong players who can score points playing one-on-one. I expect them to meet big-big problems in offense and they will try to shoot their 3-pointers which are not falling down away from home usually for them. Even if those 3-points will be scored I still can't trust Asvel in such game.

My clear choice here Cibona to cover (-4) points handicap. Unfortunately bookies set the line almost perfect but situational factor is on our side that why I decided to pick a fair line here.


Fenerbahce Ulker - Zalgiris

Fenerbahce Ulker:
- Roko Ukic has been registered and could make his season debut this week.
- Omer Asik will miss two months after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured collarbone.
- Mirsad Turkcan is expected to be in the squad for the first time this season after a lengthy groin injury.

Zalgiris:
- Aleksandar Capin has been registered and could make his Zalgiris debut against FB Ulker.
- Travis Watson will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a leg injury last week.
- Povilas Cukinas will miss the rest of the season due injuries to his knee ligaments and meniscus.

Roko Ukic should be a doping for Fenerbahce. With him they will be much faster and dangerous in early offense. So far they were playing without scoring playmaker which is must-have-in-the-roster for Tanjevic scheme. Now when he has a player who will run and score points things should be easier for Turkish side.

Zalgiris has 2 new additions A.Capin and Delas from Split but both are new faces in a club and they are not ready for Euroleague games. Zalgiris is missing 2 important players Watson and Janavicius (Kalnietis substitute). New players can compensate their playing time but I doubt that they can add efficience which is important.

Zalgiris is one of the weakest all-time away sides in Euroleague and they will need miracle to get something positive in Turkey. Fenerbahce is better team, more experienced and finally there is a class difference. Only magic can happen Zalgiris to win there but this is not a tale and I expect Zalgiris to lose this game by 8-15 points difference and there is a sense to cover Fenerbahce (-7.5).

Regal FC Barcelona vs Montepaschi Siena

Montepaschi Siena:
- Head coach Simone Pianigiani has a full squad available for the game against Regal FC Barcelona.

Regal FC Barcelona
- Juan Carlos Navarro will be a game day decision due to a sprained ankle.
- Terence Morris will be a game day decision this week due to flu-like symptoms.
- Jaka Lakovic is expected to miss at least another week with a sprained ankle.
- Lubos Barton remains sidelined with a torn tendon in his left leg suffered last season.

Game of the day but I don't want to take something from this game. For Barcelona is better and can demolish anyone in Europe these days. Montepaschi is not the same class team anymore but they will try to show spirit and character. Let's what Montepaschi deserves because it will be real test for them. Barcelona will give us an answer regarding Montepaschi real abilities this year in Euroleague.

If you are planning to watch this game I would recommend over 148.5 because both teams has very good offense which is working even against very good defense. Handicap market is nobet for me.

Maroussi BC - Maccabi Electra
Maccabi Electra:
- Big man Maciej Lampe has been released from the team.

Maroussi BC:
- Fanis Koumpouras has yet to play this season due to a leg injury.
- Levon Kendall will miss the remainder of the regular season with ligament damage in his left ankle.
- Giorgos Diamantopoulos remains sidelined with a back injury.

Both teams are good offensively and I expect fast paced game here and over 151.5 points. Both teams are more than capable of covering 74-76 points and I think that one of the team can score 80+ points. I have expected something around 154.5-156.5 in the line before they were open. Another value choice is Maccabi +2.5 because they are just a better team and they still have a motivation to win in Greece. I also doubt that Euroleague is interested in Maroussi at Top-16 stage with empty gym so officials could support Maccabi slightly.

CSKA Moscow - Caja Laboral

Caja Laboral:
- Fernando San Emeterio is in doubt to fact CSKA due to an ankle injury.
- Lior Eliyahu is also in doubt to play against CSKA due to a groin injury.
- Sean Singletary did not play over the weekend and may be sidelined against CSKA.
- Brad Oleson will be sidelined for at least another month with an ankle injury.

CSKA Moscow:
- Ramunas Siskauskas is expected to be available to face Caja Laboral after missing a week with a wrist injury .
- Matjaz Smodis remains sidelined with a back injury.
- Courtney Sims has been released by the club.
- CSKA signed big man Pops Mensah-Bonsu, but he will not be available yet against Caja Laboral.

A make-or-break battle to win Group C takes place in the Russian capital where CSKA Moscow hosts Caja Laboral on Thursday night. The two teams are tied atop the standings with a 7-2 record, so the winner will finish first and earn top-seed privileges in the Top 16 draw. Laboral has the tie-break advantage with Maccabi Electra, which is third at 6-3, so it will be second if it loses in Moscow. CSKA, however, will finish third if it loses and Maccabi beats Maroussi. CSKA released center Courtney Sims earlier this week and his replacement, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, was not inscribed in time to face Laboral. With Matjaz Smodis still sidelined, Sasha Kaun will be CSKA's starting center, with Viktor Khryapa playing alongside at power forward due to his versatility and all-around defensive skills.

In my eyes Caja Laboral is better team with more balanced roster, better offense and similar defensive level. In last years CSKA was a -7.5 points favorite at home and 3 points difference is quite big correction especially taking into consideration that CSKA won in Spain. Looks like bookies welcomes money flow on CSKA ML and expect Caja Laboral to take a win in Moscow. I really can't see where this year CSKA is stronger than Caja Laboral especially in this matchup when CSKA has only one Euroleague-level center Kaun + Khriapa against Splitter, Hermann, Barac, Teletovic and Elyahy (if healthy). Caja is stronger under the boards and if they will be able to get advantage there - they will fight for a win.

I would pick Caja Laboral +4.5 at bookies or Caja ML to trade on Betfair during in play to win but this is another type of bet which we should skip if our goal is to avoid bets on fair lines.

Lottomatica Roma - Union Olimpija

Lottomatica Roma:
- Alessando Tonolli and Rodrigo de la Fuente are no expected to be available to face Union Olimpija.

Union Olimpija:
- Sani Becirovic has been released by the club.

Must win game for Roma and they will win it.