Adam Williams presents his prediction for the EuroLeague match.
Neighbours in the standings will face off to determine who is more deserving of a playoff spot. Can Crvena Zvezda finally break their streak of setbacks and defeat Anadolu Efes on their home court?
Anadolu Efes
The return of Shane Larkin to the lineup led to a comprehensive victory over Panathinaikos (93:69). Although Larkin tallied just five points and grabbed three rebounds in that game, Rodrigue Beaubois and Amath M'Baye stepped up, scoring 16 and 15 points respectively, leaving their opponents no chance. It's also worth noting that Anadolu Efes come into this clash on a run of four consecutive home victories, including wins over Bayern Munich (101:90), a EuroLeague frontrunner. Such offensive prowess is certainly encouraging the Istanbul fans who are hoping to see their team break into the top six.
Crvena Zvezda
Crvena Zvezda are still struggling with consistency. Yes, they did manage to defeat a strong Olympiacos side (87:73) in the last round, but that was on their home court. Their away form tells a different story, with only four wins in eight matches. The main issue for these results is a rather weak defence. In their last two away games, they conceded 101 points against Milano and 87 against Virtus Bologna, who are placed next to last in the standings.
Anadolu Efes vs Crvena Zvezda Prediction
Anadolu Efes are on an upward trajectory. Moreover, the return of one of their key players to the court cannot be underestimated. We believe the Turkish club will extend their successful run and once again defeat Crvena Zvezda at home.
