Real Madrid vs Olympiacos Prediction

Real Madrid continue to deliver solid performances at home, having secured victories in 7 of their last 10 games on their own court. However, their current form has been less consistent, with the reigning Spanish champions suffering defeats in both of their previous encounters. On average, the team scores just under 84 points per game, demonstrating their ability to control the pace and maintain a strong defensive presence. One of Madrid's key strengths is their play under the basket, where they often dominate opponents with high shooting percentages from close range. It's worth noting that Real rarely lose at home.

Yet, Sergio Scariolo's squad are evidently far from their peak form. Following a loss to Valencia in the Supercup, they suffered a disappointing defeat to Virtus (68-74) in the first round of the EuroLeague. Their offensive performance was lackluster, particularly with their dreadful three-point shooting (3 for 23 attempts). A mere 12 assists didn’t do Madrid any favors either. It was even more surprising to see such mediocre basketball from a team playing with their optimal lineup. It will be intriguing to see how the players respond in this clash against an even stronger opponent. Let's not forget that it was Olympiacos who knocked Real out of the EuroLeague playoffs last season.

Olympiacos enter this match riding a wave of success: five consecutive victories (WWWWW) highlight the team's high motivation. Over their last 10 games, the club have secured eight wins with only two losses, showcasing excellent offensive form. The team's scoring average is also impressive-around 82 points per game-with a solid balance between perimeter shooting and play inside the paint. A potential weakness might be the players' form at the start of the season due to an intense schedule, but the experience of leaders like Vezenkov helps mitigate any challenges.

It was Sasha who played a crucial role in the hard-fought away victory against Saski Baskonia (102-96) in the league's opening round. The Greeks jumped to a 12-0 lead but then became complacent on defense, leading to a tense contest right until the end. Vezenkov (24 points and 13 rebounds) and Dorsey (21 points) ultimately sealed the win in the final moments, but conceding 96 points to an average-strength opponent is certainly not what coach Georgios Bartzokas wants to see. Improvement on defense is necessary, even with injuries to Ntilikina, Evans, and Fall.