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After the defeat on a tough away match against Breogan, I expect real Burgos' answer today. They're a team who secured going to the first league in the last two seasons, but didn't fulfill financial prerequisites and were left in the second. They didn't change the roster much, the coach and the key players stayed together, and they also added a few great reinforcements. That means they look even better than the last year. In the first round, the very important Coppenrath and Costa had stomach flu issues, but now they're completely ready. Huesca barely defeated fourth league clubs in the pre-season, lost to the third league club, adn Burgos outplayed the strong Palencia twice, and lost only to a first-league club. Huesca completely changed the team compared to the last year. All the main players left, only two that weren't that important last year stayed. Their reinforcements aren't up to the level. They're mostly younger, inexperienced players. Three of them came from the fourth league, some of them from the third. Huesca's players are about 20 years old average, they show lots of weaknesses defensively, and Burgos is definitely not a place where they can improve the impression. Details

Limburg are in the pre-season, but clearly showed their game style in the first two rounds of the championship. It's a very fast basketball, just like the American coach Lynch likes it, relying on six Americans who can test his ideas. They had 70 field goal in the first round, and scored 85 points against the defensively oriented Mons. On Wednesday, they had 70 shots and over 20 free throws against Oostende. Their opponent is Okapi, who have even more Americans in the roster and also play fast. Two days ago, they conceded over 90 points against Pepinster, but scored 100. That's a team without a real center but with a great transition, and not a convincing defense. For example, in the pre-season, the English Leicester scored over 100, Trier 82, Obradoiro 94, Waregem 90, and they defeated Telekom 107-83. Details

Considering both teams stayed under 130 points in the first round, Roanne played 126 against Poitiers, and Evreux 116 in Souffelweyersheim, I expected the margin here to be under 140, so I definitely take the 145. Both teams are mostly defensively oriented which they showed in the previous matches. By that I mean competitor matches because friendly matches never give the real image. In those, Evreux played 130, 131, and 116 and 162 against Angers who prefer faster rhythm. The injuries weakened them even more offensively, so all they can do is bite in the defense. Roanne played 136, 140, 146 (Monaco) and 126 in the first round. They're decent offensively, but better defensively. Besides, Ho You Fat's injury takes about 15 points per game away. Evreux won't allow them to play faster because they can't keep up. They started badly against Souffel and Valin commanded them to slow the rhythm down completely. That's what'll happen today if they start badly. Details

The book makers still give Bourg more credit than they deserve. I decided to bet against them the first two rounds, and I intend to do it again today. Granted, they did quite well in the second division, but Pro A is at a much higher level. Besides, they struggle with injuries and Sarre has to do with only 8 players today. Bourg were completely outplayed in the first three games, standing no chance against Chalon and Nancy, and being 20 points down by half time in the Le Havre game. Chalon are far better than Le Havre, on a greater budget and with higher ambition. They want to reach the play off, with defeats against teams like Bourg preventing them from doing so last season. Turner is not on the team, but they managed to beat Reims anyway. They beat Bourg twice in the last month, and Bourg didn't have as many problems in those games as they do today. They struggle with efficiency, having never scored more than 77 points this season (pre-season included). Chalon are very good offense-wise - they're one of the top offenses in the league. I don't think Bourg will be able to limit their offense efficiency. They will have fan support, but they're far from the level Pro A demands, which is why I expect the visitors to win. Details

I've had quite a doubt deciding between the counter-handicap at Ricoh and the total goals under. Absolutely everything at Richoh is about defense and their performance today will be no exception. Coach Linnell doesn't seem to care about his team's poor offense performances. Lugi are also among one of the best defenses in the league. No team managed to scored more than 26 goals (Kristianstad) against them, which means that we're in for a tough match, just like the one with RIK the other day. Details

Swans, Gussing and Kapfenberg are three teams with the best defensive game in the Austrian Bundesleague. The beginning of the season showed it. The home team from Gmunden played two matches with a bigger number of points in the first three rounds, but those were games against the extremely weak Graz and the offensively oriented Arkadia. Swans celebrated convincingly there which influenced the fall of their defensive intensity. Today, their opponent is much tougher. The current champion from Gussing still didn't get in the real form, especially in the offense, but they make up for it with the defense for now. They limited Kapfenberg to 58 points this weekend, Graz to 46 the weekend before. Like they say in the home team's camp, the Knights play the defense very close to making fouls, very aggressively, and I think they'll show it in the derby today. Details

The fact Voegele is ranked better is the only advantage she has over the opponent today, if that can even be considered an advantage. Her last round opponent her the perfect chance to knock her out of the tournament, but Schmiedlova once again managed to gamble away what was already a sure win. While Voegele was supposed to lose, Friedsam once again did brilliantly. The surface and the conditions suit her, while her powerful service and forehand dominate the rallies. Cepelova didn't do well, but Friedman should get credit for it. It's quite clear they're in for the match similar to their last round matches. Voegele will be the inferior opponent once again, with Friedsam in control. I have much more faith in Friedsam because of her confidence and the good-quality first serve. I'm convinced she will win by more than 3 games. Details

Nine players cancelled their performances for the guests, and the temporary coach is on the bench. China are fully motivated after the last year's defeat at home, 1-5. The Chinese are almost complete, and rarely lose at home. The incredible situation in the guests' team created a great chance for them to boost their self-confidence. The non-professionalism has to cost the Thai, serious teams don't even go to play with 12 players and three goalies. Details

The Wildcats and the Breakers had under 172 points in the last two games, and I expect them to do the same today, opening the season. Drake is questionable for the home team because of his ankle, and even if he passed the test, it's questionable how many minutes he'll play. They don't have other options for that position and will likely force the well-rested Damian Martin in the first round. About him, Martin isn't a type of point guard who'll pierce through to the hoop and lay-up, but he's playing slower. His main forte is in the defense and he'll probably need some time to figure out he's the Wildcats' seed now. Besides, DeAndre had two surgeries recently and this will be his first friendly match. He's expected to contribute the most in the defense, and he'll need some time to fit into the offense. About the Breakers, their results from the pre-season should be forgotten. They didn't have enough players, and Jackson got injured against the Crocs, so they were defeated convincingly. Jackson will play now, but will probably look for the pass to the hoop less. Great news is that Pledger will play, he'd be of immense importance in the defense. To sum up, the Breakers don't have enough width to try running around the court even though Jackson's good in it. They're better in the paint and we can expect tough game from them. The Wildcats were the best defensive team last season, and we can expect the same this one. Since they have injury problems and no substitute for the point guard, we can expect a slower game from them, too. This margin is simply too high. Details