In the first round of the EuroLeague basketball season, Virtus Bologna will face Anadolu Efes. The game is set to take place in Bologna on Friday, October 4, with a tip-off at 21:00 Central European Time. This prediction comes from the Sportsmacro expert team.
Virtus Bologna
Last season, Virtus Bologna aimed for a spot in the EuroLeague playoffs but ultimately fell short. In the offseason, the team made significant strides by signing several experienced players, with hopes of improving their performance.
In the Italian championship, Virtus is consistently viewed as one of the favorites, and the 2024/25 season is no different. They began the campaign with two wins and a loss in overtime against Milan.
Anadolu Efes
Anadolu Efes, the two-time EuroLeague champions (2021, 2022), are always in contention for the title. Last season, their performance slipped slightly, and they missed the playoffs, but this year, Efes is determined to make a strong return to the trophy chase.
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The club has kept its core roster intact while adding depth to the rotation during the offseason. In the Turkish Super Cup, Anadolu secured the trophy with a narrow one-point victory over Fenerbahçe.
Key Facts about the match
- Virtus hasn’t managed to win two consecutive games since May.
- Anadolu has claimed victory in only two of their last five official matches.
- At home, Virtus averages 75 points per game, whereas Anadolu scores an average of 83 points per game when playing away.
Key player
Elijah Bryant has the potential to emerge as the true leader of Anadolu Efes this season. The American guard kicked off the season on a high note, leading the scoring in the Turkish Super Cup with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 steals, while finishing with a +10 efficiency rating.
Head-to-Head (H2H)
Last season, in addition to their regular season matchups, the teams also met in a play-in game, where Virtus eliminated Anadolu Efes. However, Virtus ultimately fell short of making the playoffs themselves.
Virtus Bologna vs Anadolu Prediction
While the guests seem to have a slight edge, both teams appear evenly matched for this head-to-head clash. My bet is on Anadolu Efes to win with a +4.5 point handicap.
