Valencia face Bayern Munich in Round 11 of the EuroLeague. The Spanish club have been more convincing during this stretch of the season and are particularly dangerous in attack. Statistics from the opening rounds show that the team are averaging around 96 points per game — one of the highest figures in the competition. Bayern Munich, meanwhile, are struggling badly: they have lost four of their last five EuroLeague games, and their defence regularly allows opponents to score heavily.
Valencia
Valencia can maintain a high tempo and make effective use of quick transitions from defence to attack. In recent games, they have beaten Fenerbahce (86:78), Paris (104:93) and Olimpia Milano (84:73). Even in defeats to Barcelona (94:98) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (88:91), the Spanish team continued to score heavily. T J Shorts plays an important role in orchestrating the offence, averaging around 17 points and almost six assists per game.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are in a considerably more difficult position. They have lost to Beşiktaş (87:95), Dubai Basketball (91:107), Barcelona (84:88) and Crvena Zvezda (73:103). Their only win during this run came against ASVEL Basket — 99:95. Their defensive play is particularly worrying: they conceded 103 points against Crvena Zvezda and 107 against Dubai Basketball. Their attack does not always make up for those defensive failings either: in Belgrade, Bayern Munich scored just 73 points.
Valencia vs Bayern Munich Prediction
Valencia's squad depth and attacking potential give us reason to expect them to have the edge, even allowing for the possible absences of Nate Reuvers and Nikola Mirotic. Bayern Munich can make a game of it if their shots from beyond the arc are falling, but containing the Spanish team's fast-paced basketball throughout the game will not be easy.
