Hapoel Tel Aviv vs Efes Prediction 28 October 2026
π In Round 8 of the EuroLeague regular season, Hapoel Tel Aviv are set to face Anadolu Efes. The Israeli side remain firmly among the league leaders, showcasing consistent form, while the Turkish club are still battling for a play-in spot and have struggled with inconsistency. Although the game will be played at a neutral venue in Botevgrad, Itoudisβ men are still widely regarded as clear favourites heading into this matchup.
Head-to-Head
π So far, the teams have faced off in two official encounters, with the most recent meeting taking place on 20 January 2026. That game was held on Hapoel's home court, where they came out on top with a 71-66 victory.
Head-to-head statistics Hapoel Tel Aviv - Efes
Hapoel Tel Aviv maintain their standards thanks to the impressive skills of their key players.
Hapoel Tel Aviv head into the match with a 5-2 record after seven rounds, sitting sixth in the standings. The Israeli side have claimed victory in four of their last five games in the competition and are averaging 81.1 points per contest. Dimitris Itoudisβ squad is built around Bryant - who leads the team with a 24.4 efficiency rating - and Micic, who has returned from the NBA to orchestrate the offense.
Under Itoudis, the Israeli club play at a measured pace, emphasizing Micicβs pick-and-rolls and Bryantβs three-point shooting. They convert 37.0% from beyond the arc, with their primary strength lying in their perimeter depth. Micic, Bryant, Blakeney, and Carrington give Hapoel four players who can both create their own shot and set up teammates. Against Efes - who are missing James and Dozier - Hapoel should find plenty of opportunities on offense.
Match Results: Hapoel Tel Aviv
Anadolu Efes: life without James is tough
Anadolu Efes are mired in a deep crisis. The Turkish side sit 13th in the standings with a 3-4 record, and the main reason is the injury to James: the star guard suffered a torn Achilles in Round 3 and is out for the season. To make matters worse, Dozier is sidelined for 2-3 weeks with a back injury, while Cordinier and Papagiannis are also unavailable. As a result, the Istanbul club have lost their entire backcourt - the very unit that once made Efes one of the most dangerous offensive teams in Europe.
Worst of all, without James and Dozier, Efes have become a predictable team. Larkin remains their primary offensive weapon, but heβll be pushed to his limits against Micic and Bryant. Poirier and Thompson will provide some muscle in the paint, but without creativity on the perimeter, the Turkish franchise will struggle to maintain a high tempo for the full 40 minutes.
Match Results: Efes Anadolu Istanbul
Outcome Prediction
Hapoel have come out on top in eight of their last ten outings, suffering just two defeats, while the visitors have recorded six wins and four losses over the same span. On home court, the Israeli side have notched up five victories, whereas the Turkish club have secured two away wins. Itβs worth highlighting an interesting trend: Anadolu Efes have only lost by more than eight points in one of their last seven EuroLeague games. With that in mind, backing the visitors with a +8.5 handicap at odds of 1.67 looks like a well-founded prediction.
Total Points Prediction
In head-to-head clashes, the hosts average 79 points per game, while the visitors post 73.5. Over their last ten outings, Hapoel have averaged 86.1 points (85.3 at home), with Anadolu Efes putting up 83.2 (75.6 on the road). The total has gone under 171.5 in nine of Anadolu Efes' last ten EuroLeague away games. Backing under 171.5 points at odds of 1.89 looks like a well-founded prediction.
β Editorβs Prediction
Hapoel typically play at a high tempo, even on neutral ground, but the visitorsβ well-drilled defense should be able to slow down the hostsβ offensive rhythm. We see this as the most likely scenario for this matchup, especially since the visitorsβ defensive structure often dictates the flow of games against technically superior opponents. Additionally, without James and Dozier, the visitors lose a significant creative spark on the perimeter. That means Hapoel, even if they pull ahead, are unlikely to push the pace aggressively. Given these factors, backing the under 174.5 total points looks like a well-founded prediction.
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Betting Tips: Hapoel Tel Aviv - Efes Anadolu Istanbul
in 9 of last 10 games.
in 7 of last 8 away games (Euroleague).in 14 of last 15 games.in 12 of last 13 games (Euroleague).
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