By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
There are fewer games scheduled this week because of the Greek Easter and the German Cup, but there are still several options to bet on, chiefly in Spain with the El Clasico standing out.
In the Turkish league, Darussafaka is in great shape and is now aiming to stay within the top two. The game away at Karsiyaka is quite difficult, but the visitors can at least try to defend the handicap that’s in their favor. Besides, in their last few games Karsiyaka do not appear to be very strong at home.
In the Final Four of the German Cup Bamberg has a small advantage over Alba, who possess greater quality as a team but whose defeat from Maccabi in the “final” of the Top 16 in the Euroleague surely wore them down. Bamberg has been preparing for this game for some time now and could get the qualification.
The schedule in Germany also has a championship game with Frankfurt having the advantage to defeat Braunschweig and stay in the top eight. They have five wins in the last six games and they can overcome Braunschweig who are coming from a very tough schedule these past weeks but probably won’t hold out.
The El Clasico in Madrid is anticipated with excitement but a few days before the playoffs in the Euroleague it’s hard to predict the winner of the Real-Barcelona game during the regular season. The only thing that’s certain is that the score line will climb up pretty high once again. Besides, in the last four clasicos the threshold of 160,5 points, was easily exceeded.
Obradoiro are quite good lately even if they did lose rather easily to Sevilla, and if they carry on in this manner they can even secure a spot in the playoffs. Bilbao on the other hand, is rather poor away from home with four defeats in a row, and with a large deficit too.
The betting tips
Karsiyaka-Darussafaka (+2)
@Coral 1,91
Brose Baskets-Alba (+0,5) 1
@Bet365 1,90
Braunschweig-Frankfurt (+2,5) 2
@Ladbrokes 1,85
Real M.-Barcelona Over 160,5 points
@William Hill 1,85
Obradoiro (+1,5)-Bilbao 1
@Unibet 1,92