Top European Basketball Teams Play in the Euroleague Final Four on Friday
Published May 28, 2021 by Florin P
CSKA Moscow, Barcelona and Olimpia Milano try to win the Euroleague Final Four this weekend, with Anadolu Efes as the main favorite.
The final act of the Euroleague will unfold this weekend and matches will be played in a Final Four format. Some of the favorites were lost on the road, but there are still some exceptional teams in the race. Anadolu Efes is the main favorites to lift the trophy but teams such as CSKA Moscow, Barcelona and Olimpia Milano can’t be discounted.
CSKA Moscow Start as Underdogs against Anadolu
In the first match of the day scheduled on Friday at 5 PM UK time CSKA Moscow will play against Anadolu Efes. The Russians used to dominate the competition several years ago, but it is the Turkish outfit that starts with the first chance. They were the better team throughout the regular season both at home and on the road. Since the matches will be played on neutral grounds in Cologne the way teams perform on the road is the most important.
CSKA Moscow defeated Fenerbahce a few months ago in the last match played against the Turkish team. They will have a far more difficult task this weekend, as they play against the best team in the region. Even without any players missing due to injury or suspension, the Russians are underdogs with odds of 17/10. bet365 Sports credits Anadolu Efes with the first chance and odds of 1/2 which accurately reflect the difference of skill and quality between the two teams.
Barcelona Seeks to Extend Winning Streak over Olimpia Milano
Barcelona is one of the most experienced teams in the Euroleague having reached the Final Four on many occasions. They are well-positioned to extend the winning streak which currently stands at 5 consecutive matches. They have the advantage in the head to head record with Olimpia Milano, a team they defeated in the last three head to head matches. Those who bet on Barcelona to lift the trophy will be paid at 2/5 by 888 Sport, while a bet on the underdog will produce odds of 2/1 at the same bookmaker.
There is a lot of pressure on the Spanish team after failing to win the domestic championship. In spite of prevailing in five consecutive matches on the domestic front, they were outplayed by bitter rivals Real Madrid. Olimpia Milano are still in the race for the trophy in the Italian first division, where they won the first two matches. Fighting a war on two fronts, as well as the lack of experience in the decisive rounds of the Euroleague makes the Italian the underdogs of this encounter.
Disclaimer:
The odds mentioned here were accurate at the featured bookmakers at the hour the article was written, respectively on Thursday, May 27 at 6 A.M. UK time.
