Spanish ACB
Copa Del Rey 2010. Quarterfinals Picks for Day 2
Bilbao - Caja LaboralWe have a typical cup situation when BIG team plays against host team and big team goes as favorite. Sometimes it is worth stay with big team, sometimes it is better to skip match and sometimes it is time to bet on a home team. Tonight it's time for 3rd choice.
Bilbao gain its momentum of form in last 5 matches and started to play like one HEALTHY organism. Coach finally found 8 players who plays effectively and cut off those who is out of form (Seibutis, Markota and P.Vasquez). Bilbao will have huge crowd support and I am pretty sure that in this local derby (both teams are from the same region) there is no room for fear or pressure. Bilbao has almost quaranteed Eurocup qualification, they will play for proud and fans - perfect situation for suprise. Also they should be confident in their strength and ability to win against big team after beating Real in Madrid.
Caja on other side has lost its form. They are still winning games but they are not looking well in their latest matches. Their guards Ribas, Huertas, Oleson, English are not in best shape, Barac just returned after injury, Elyahu is questionable because of injury, Splitter certainly out due the injury.. only San Emeterio and Teletovic are playing on a regular level but not at the top one too. Next week Caja Laboral have a playoff character match in Russia against Khimki which in my opinion right now should be an only focus for them.
Some people will say that Caja as team has more cup experience and this might help them. But let's be honest. This cup experience has been earned by Splitter, Rakocevic, Vidal, Mickael, Prigioni, McDonald.. those players who are playing in other clubs. This new roster of Caja Laboral does not have this cup feeling on the board and their awful ATS record in Euroleague proves this.
I hold Bilbao as favorite in this pair and I hope that they will be a first outsider to win Copa Del Rey quarterfinals.
Pick: Bilbao +3.5 @ 1.88 Expekt
Real - Joventud
Both teams are difficult to predict for me this year so I am going to leave this game without bets. I think that -10 points handicap is a too high for this match but you never know what version of Real and Joventud will be on the field.
Skip is the best choice here.
Caja on other side has lost its form. They are still winning games but they are not looking well in their latest matches. Their guards Ribas, Huertas, Oleson, English are not in best shape, Barac just returned after injury, Elyahu is questionable because of injury, Splitter certainly out due the injury.. only San Emeterio and Teletovic are playing on a regular level but not at the top one too. Next week Caja Laboral have a playoff character match in Russia against Khimki which in my opinion right now should be an only focus for them.
Some people will say that Caja as team has more cup experience and this might help them. But let's be honest. This cup experience has been earned by Splitter, Rakocevic, Vidal, Mickael, Prigioni, McDonald.. those players who are playing in other clubs. This new roster of Caja Laboral does not have this cup feeling on the board and their awful ATS record in Euroleague proves this.
I hold Bilbao as favorite in this pair and I hope that they will be a first outsider to win Copa Del Rey quarterfinals.
Pick: Bilbao +3.5 @ 1.88 Expekt
Real - Joventud
Both teams are difficult to predict for me this year so I am going to leave this game without bets. I think that -10 points handicap is a too high for this match but you never know what version of Real and Joventud will be on the field.
Skip is the best choice here.
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