Euroleague Week 5 Expert Picks for Thursday, 26th October: Best Picks for Round 5 of the Euroleague

Week 5 of the Euroleague will see the two best unbeaten teams in the league face off against each other in the Real Madrid vs Barcelona derby. Monaco is set to settle the score with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and later in the day, Olympiacos will take on Anadolu Efes. These games will undoubtedly bring intense competition and showcase the strength and talent of the top teams in the Euroleague.

Basketball expert Agbeniga Ayobami offers her insights on some of the matches scheduled for Thursday.

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• Euroleague Week 5 Expert Picks: 26th October, 2023.
• Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Both sides out for bragging right in the El Clásico
• Monaco vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Can Maccabi get a win in Monaco?
• Olympiakos vs Anadolu Efes: Both teams should make the nets busy

Euroleague Week 5 Expert Picks: 26th October, 2023

• Barcelona +9.5 at 1.54 odds
• Maccabi Tel Aviv +9.5 at 1.53 odds
• Over 152.5 at 1.50 odds

Odds available as of 25th October, 2023. Odds may now differ.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Bragging Rights in El Clásico

El Clásico always carries a significant weight, not only in the standings but also in terms of fan bragging rights. Real Madrid and Barcelona have both displayed unstoppable form in the early weeks of the 2023-24 season, but one of their unbeaten streaks will inevitably come to an end on Thursday.

Barcelona has been exceptional, boasting impressive statistics with 89.5 points, 37.8 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 5.8 steals, 3.0 blocks, and a Player Impact Rating (PIR) of 114.0.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have assembled rosters of top-notch talent. In terms of three-point shooting, Real Madrid has showcased their proficiency, making an impressive 12.3 three-pointers per game, closely followed by Barcelona with 11.8. Only Fenerbahce, with 13.3 three-pointers per game, surpasses them in the Euroleague. Furthermore, both teams rank among the league’s top in assists, averaging 22.0 each, positioning them second in this category.

Barcelona has undergone a more significant transformation, with Roger Grimau taking over as head coach and new additions like Jabari Parker and Willy Hernangomez tasked with filling the void left by the departure of leading scorer and recent EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic. In contrast, Real Madrid did not make significant changes to their squad, relying on their championship-winning team.

This Barcelona side has the potential to create an upset in this matchup. They have talented players who can challenge Real Madrid’s dominance, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a highly competitive game. Although Real Madrid has won the last two games between these sides, Barcelona has secured three wins in their last five meetings, indicating that this El Clásico could go either way.

Expert Pick: Barcelona +9.5
Best odds: 1.54
Bookmaker: 1xbet
Stakes: 8/10

Monaco vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: Can Maccabi Win on the Road?

Maccabi’s performance in the Euroleague has been commendable, winning 2 out of their 3 games so far. They maintain an average of 82.7 points per game, with solid shooting percentages of 54.9% on two-point field goals, 35.0% on three-pointers, and 72.7% at the free-throw line.

Their rebounding game is strong, securing 9.3 offensive rebounds and 21.0 defensive rebounds, totaling 30.3 rebounds per game. Maccabi leads the league in assists, averaging 24.3 per game, which reflects their exceptional teamwork. They also excel in two-pointers made, ranking third in the Euroleague with an average of 20.7.

Defensively, Maccabi performs admirably, averaging 8.7 steals per game, which places them second only to Olympiakos with 10.0 steals. Their overall Player Index Rating (PIR) stands at an impressive 90.0. In terms of individual performance, Bonzie Colson shines with an average of 17.7 points and a PIR of 18.7.

On the other hand, Monaco has struggled, securing 2 wins out of 4 games. They average 73.0 points per game, with shooting percentages of 52.0% for two-point field goals, 35.2% for three-pointers, and 66.2% at the free-throw line. While they perform well in the area of offensive rebounds, averaging 11.8 per game, they face challenges in various other aspects of their game.
Considering the overall statistics and current form, Maccabi appears to have the edge here.

• Expert Pick: Maccabi Tel Aviv +9.5
• Best odds: 1.53
• Bookmaker: 1xbet
• Stakes: 4/10

Olympiakos vs Anadolu Efes: Both Teams Make the Nets Busy

Anadolu Efes made a significant impact by handing Valencia their first defeat of the season and has secured 2 wins out of 4 games in this Euroleague season. They are averaging 80.0 points per game and excel in two-point field goals with an impressive 57.5% success rate, though their three-point shooting stands at 33.7%.

In terms of Player Index Rating (PIR), Anadolu Efes is among the best, averaging 90.5. They rank second in the league in two-pointers made with 22.0 and hold the third position in assists, with an average of 21.5.

Olympiacos, despite facing a couple of losses recently, seems to have regained their momentum with a 98-94 overtime win over Partizan in their last game. They have a well-structured team, core players, exceptional talent, and a strong fan base, making them top contenders for the 2022-23 EuroLeague championship. They average 76.8 points per game, with a 50.0% success rate in two-point field goals, and they are one of the best in offensive rebounds with 11.8 per game. Their defensive prowess is highlighted by their league-leading 10.0 steals.

Considering the statistics and recent performances of both teams, it’s evident that they are formidable and capable of making their mark in the league. Players like Shane Larkin, who averages 7.0 assists for Anadolu Efes (ranking 4th in the league), and Nikola Milutinov with a PIR of 22.5 (ranking second in the league) will undoubtedly contribute to a high-scoring and competitive game.

• Expert Pick: Over 152.5
• Best odds: 1.50
• Bookmaker: 1xbet
• Stakes: 5/10

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