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The most interesting game this round and this day. Milano proved to be a very tricky opponent as they met Fenerbahce, almost managing to win. The bad first period destroyed them, but they went on to be the better team on the court. Barcelona, on the other hand, did their Euroleague openers impressively. They will have to do without Navarro today, which gives this bet double value. Barcelona will focus more on defense today since the offense is weakened. They played quite a few games without Navarro the past few seasons and most of them were great. I'm convinced the game today will be good as well, with defense playing the key role. Milano are playing great defense for the second season in a row, which should mean we're in for a less efficient game. Details

Dimitrov played the last match of the day yesterday and should have lost it. His movement was terrible, and he winced as well. There is not official information regarding an injury, but he is obviously not himself. Perhaps it's just fatigue from the Stockholm final, but he just was not his usual self. Zverev should have easily won that in two sets, but he missed his chances and played his worst when it mattered most. Dmitrov saved 11 of 14 break points and converted four of five, meaning he won all the key points and barely managed to win in the end. I'm convinced he would not even be playing were he not chasing London, as he is obviously spent. Pospisil on the other hand managed to keep his serve throughout the match, winning all 16 serve games against the unpleasant Nieminen. He allowed his first break points in the third set, and scored close to 30 aces, serving brilliantly, and is defending the semifinal here. Last year he even dragged Federer to a three set match. I repeat, I don't know if Dimitrov is really injured, but he has problems and no time to rest since he is playing again today. Personally I played on the Canadian to win, but the odds dropped on that, badly, which is why this handicap looks great to me. With the way he's serving Pospisil could cover it under normal circumstances and still have a good shot at winning, under the current ones this looks like a sure thing. After all, odds for this match could soon go to equal. Details

We played under on Fener in the last round and it came true only because of the excellent Milan defense, and even with that said Fener still got close to 80 points. Now they're facing an opponent who don't play even close as much defense and love quick basketball. Fenerbahce have proven to be a great offensive team with excellent solutions on all five positions, and it should show today. The match is practically on neutral ground, so that should not favor the 'home' team either. I expect a fast-paced, attractive match in which Fener's offensive potential will get to shine. Details

A bet we played so many times last year with Panathinaikos. Elite defense and slow basketball were and stayed their trademark, which makes this worth playing even when they're playing away against one of the best offensive teams in Europe, as i'm having a hard time remembering the last time anyone scored 80+ against PAO in a competitive match. PAO will not allow the run'n'gun game that would suit the home team. I expect a very tough match in which Panathinaikos look closer to winning in a close finish, which makes a team under on the home team the best option. Details

Beauvis are the favorite today for a reason as they confirmed their good performance last week when they met Tours. Their attacking is powerful, blocking as well and I think they have the upper hand today, seeing as Tourcoing's game in St. Nazaire ended as a bad defeat. They lost a very important setter Coric, leaving a 19-year-old Schouteten in charge of organizing their game today. They lost in straight sets to St. Nazaire with him in charge. Coach Lecat said Beauvias are better than St. Nazaire and that playing without Coric will be tough. Beauvais should be victorious tonight, one way or another. I'm opting for the point-handicap since that can turn out well even in visitors win in five sets. Details

Granted, Lille are struggling with offense, but Everton are not exactly the toughest defense, having won only twice (never in Europe).
The home team are very keen on winning this game. Origi as their top scorer (5 out of the total of Lille's 13 goals) has extra motivation today and definitely counts as the main candidate for scoring today. He's more likely to score than Lukaku.
It's therefore absurd that the bookmakers trust Roux, who's not doing good at all, more or the newcomer Frey, who has not even had a debut at Lille. Even if Roux does get a chance today, it will be on a wing position. If Girard is going to rely on someone today, it will be Origi. Details

Everything abotu Ricoh is already known, a team that does only defense, and the only issue is what do their opponents have and how they want to beat them. YIF believe they have the defense to overpower Ricoh, and will also trust primarily their defense, which is nothing strange as they limited the current champion Alingsas to just 22 goals. I expect a tough battle in which the 45 goal margin looks impenetrable once again, so I don't believe the match will go anywhere near 50. Details

Both teams lost the opening games and motivation will run high with both today. Galatasaray are dealing with the usual problems - the players threatening not to play as of November 1st if they don't get paid. At least that should not have an effect on the game today. This is the first home game for Galatasaray and Abdi Pekci will probably be packed. The Turkish team is much better home, beating numerous great teams here last season, even when decimated by injuries. Smith absence is good for defense, but not good for offense. Galatasaray have done 6 official matches this season, 4 of which with more than 150 points scored. The only two unders were the Cup game with Usak played in an empty arena. Valencia had two games at 140 points against Zaragoza and Olympiacos, two very good defenses. Coach Perasovic said that they're trying to make up for lesser attacking game with a better defense performance. What we've been saying from the start is now confirmed - Valencia are offense-wise not where they were last season, and 80 or 90 points are not expected from them at this point. Since they lost the opener and meet Zvezda in Belgrade next week, Valencia need to try their best today. The defense did well in the last two games and that is precisely what they will count on today. Details

De Schepper is doing surprisingly well in Basel. He has had 31 break-point here, the qualifying matches included, and managed to use one third of them. Three matches in a row won gives him a boost of confidence. Karlovic beat Rosol, who clearly took an early vacation. It was a routine win Karlovic-style. He will struggle against De Schepper's service. The difference in ranking is the only reason for this handicap, but the real difference between players is not as big. This bet was successful once already when they played two tie-breaks with neither losing a single service game. I expect a similar outcome today, but I think De Schepper will have the upper hand on account of his great performances in Basel. Details

Ferrer said he's tired but needs to keep pushing to secure a spot in London. He's defending the final here and the one in Paris next week as well. He can't afford to take a break though he really needs one. Seppi was a perfect opponent at the start here, having lost to Ferrer in all of their 11 head-to-head matches. He didn't take initiative which was not surprising since he's been playing non-stop. He had trouble moving especially after last week's final in Vienna. His opponent Verdasco love matches such as this one - he's got nothing to lose, he's motivated and capable of winning a set against anyone. Ferrer might get through, he's good at close wins,but I think this is the end for him. Verdasco should be able to get a set here and take advantage of Ferrer's fatigue. Details

Many struggle to stay motivated as the season draws closer to its end, but not Dolgopolov. Injury kept him off the court for a long time. He was finding his rhythm in Asia, and squandered a win last week as a result of the break he had, but he is trying hard. Simon won 20 points in the first set here (on paper its enough to win five games), and did not win a game. The Ukrainian allowed him none. Although Chardy also had a decisive victory, I must say Jaziri is not ATP quality. He did take advantage of the draw in Shanghai, but he is still a challenger player, which makes the Frenchman's victory rather irrelevant, regardless of how decisive it was. The poor performances he had the past few months have much more merit, with only a victory vs Anderson worth mention. On the return he could do nothing against Struff, nor against Sock last week, and he did poorly in the USA. Dolgopolov has momentum and indoors suits him, not because he played a finale here, but because of the way he played. I would not be surprised if Chardy's mind were on Paris a bit as well, as all the French are focused on that tournament next week. I believed Dolgopolov would beat Simon, and I have even more faith in him now, as he was only missing some confidence. When he has momentum, Dolgopolov is worthy of the title. Today he should beat another Frenchman, and the handicap can play even at three sets. Details