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The Romanian team aren't up to this level of competitions. They showed it in the first two matches of Top 32 when they lost to Nancy by 17, and at home to Kuban by 26. Before that, Partizan crushed them by 20 at the end of the first round. Valencia are like little lambs in away matches, and like lions at home. Ploiesti won't have it easy today. Even more so because the home team are motivated, they've got 1-1 ratio, and don't need any complications. Speaking of motive, they hosted Neptunas in the last round of Euroleague. The Lithuanians needed it, Valencia didn't, and it ended +38 for the Spaniards. And Neptunas are stronger than Ploiesti. I really don't see how this could end with less than 20 points difference. A good option is the team over for Perasović's team, for about 5/10, but this is a better option, I think. Valencia crushed Nancy at home by 31, and that same Nancy defeated Ploiesti by 17. Details

BLMA and Kosice are probably the two Euroleague teams who struggle most. French champions are averaging only a bit over 60 points (59 home) and clearly need to rely on defense heavily. They're quite a powerful team physically, play tough defense, but when it comes to the offensive end, lack ideas. Slovaks have even less ideas in offense, averaging 57.5 points and conceding around 70, which a consequence of bad performances against team like Dinamo Kursk and USK Prag. They lost to BLMA 50-66 in the first head-to-head, beat Galatasaray 59-50 last week, and played games at some 120 points against Wisla and offense-oriented Ekaterinburg before that. BLMA's games against Galatsaray ended at 102 and 107 points. Galatasaray's game is similar to Kosice's. We need to point out that this is an important game for both teams. BLMA are on a 3-5 record and cannot afford to lose to Kosice, who are 2-6 and still have the chance of getting through. Both teams are under pressure and we can expect a very nervous game. Details

The Spaniards have great numbers, they won all 12 in the Eurocup, come here with 18-3 in the last 21, and I'd dare to say none of their opponents in the first round of the Eurocup were on Banvit's level. While the Spanish coach Aito will rotate the entire roster here, this is a really important match for the Turks because a defeat wouldn't let them pass through. Coach Lukić asked for and got a better defense for this phase of the competition. Banvit conceded over 70 only once in the last five matches, at home against Sassari who play their own basketball. Granca are opposite in that regard, they score points thanks to the good defense. Their numbers are much better since Aito came, but tonight, they won't be facing Sassari, Artland, Cantu, or Asvel. Lukić is without Mejia and he put focus on the defensive, so I don't see the Spaniards going over 80 here, and if Murcia, Sevilla, and Estudiantes could heave them under 80, than Banvit can, too. It's important to mention that Granca will host Real Madrid this weekend, and the trip to Bandirma and back is tiresome and long, so I have no doubts that Aito will use the full rotation here. Like that, they can't score 80 points. Besides bwin, this is available at Pinnacle at 77.5 Details

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Iran are playing fast with Borut Maček, that was obvious in the first three matches. They went to 63 against Croatians, 64 against Macedonians, and with one of the slowest and toughest teams in general, BiH, they ended the game with 55 goals. The Iranians are pulling the fast center, they're not really aggressive in the offense and they don't make many faults, but they have a hard time stopping the opponent's transition. I have no doubt the Austrians will accept that game style, and their results against Tunisia and BiH shouldn't fool you, those were two aggressive teams in matches that mattered much. Besides expecting a fast rhythm, I expect that the Austrians won't struggle against Iran as the Macedonians and the Bosnians did, so the aggressiveness will decrease as the game goes on. Details

These two are one of the most powerful couples in the second round, and are rightfully set as the main match of the third day. Tomic regularly plays well in Australia, and he's been showing his best these past few weeks. He's got two quarterfinals, while Kohlschreiber was defeated in the first round in both competitions so far, and what's interesting, by Tomic in Sydney last week. But, we've seen a match much more evened out than the result would suggest. The German played better than he did in Doha. Here, he improved his form, and you have to say he was one of the more convincing players in the first round. He didn't allow a player like Mathieu a single break chance, and it was pretty much a typical walk in the park. Tomic had unexpected problems against Kamke, and we've seen an even match in the first two sets. Later on, the Austrian got better and got a win, and a new duel against the German. I'm convinced we're going to see a big fight on both sides, and the match is completely open, I think. I simply don't see either of them winning 3-0, and because of their good serves, I think this margin can pass in all four. All in all, I expected a margin at least two games higher, and even then, I'd go for this option. Details

I simply cannot see this match ending as a one-sided win. I think Chardy will win, but I don't expect it to happen in straight sets. Seppi is great at forcing five sets in matches like this one. He's played staggering 26 five-set matches in his carrier. His AO opener ended in give sets. I'm counting on this over to be successful even in 4 'normal' sets and I don't think it's possible either player will win in straight sets. Seppi is said to be one of the tallest players with the poorest serving and that's true, but the Italian has worked on his first service a lot and that bore fruit since he won a lot of first service points this season. Chardy is known for playing tough matches too, which his match with Coric proved (finished over this margin by 3 games in 4 sets). I expect something similar to happen today. Seppi can play brilliantly and then horribly. Just like Chardy. Whether this match is tough or ripe with ups and downs is irrelavant, I expect at least 4 sets and an over. Details

When they asked Panova if she has the game to threaten Sharapova after she faced Cirstea, she didn't say anything, just shook her head. She knows herself they'll only ask Masha about the result today. Maria crushes anyone when she can. She played worse yesterday than she did in the first rounds of Brisbane, and then covered the margin. I expect her to play better today. The first round of any new tournament is always tricky, but that's behind her now. Panova defeated Cirstea who gave up from the initial two tournaments of the season because of her shoulder injury, but came here because this is the Australian Open. Alexandra didn't serve like she can against the Romanian player after the tricky first set, and she didn't hit like she can, all because of her shoulder, and she won the second set convincingly because Cirstea decided to forfeit the match. But, even the little Cirstea played aggressively, you could see how many problems Panova had in moving. Today, she'll have to receive constant hits, and those problems will show. She can't be physically stronger than Sharapova, and she can't run for three strong hits. Also, she's playing on Rod Laver arena, for the first time in her life, and I think Maria will stay within this margin with a decent game. Details

When I watched matches by Pliskova and Dodin, I knew I'll have to bet on over when they face each other. Still, the odds were a pleasant surprise, so I'll gladly take +6 on the French. Pliskova's got a great tournament behind her, and she's at the top of her tennis, but I'm still pretty sure she won't cover this handicap. Her game in the rallies against Rodina wasn't brilliant. She was insecure, and Rodina returned a good part of her balls into the court, forcing her to errors. Add to that only 33% second serve points, it's clear that Dodin will have a chance for a break. It's similar on the other side. Great first serve, aggressive game, and trying to get the winners in every rally. Pliskova's got an advantage because of her experience, but the fact is that she's not playing better tennis right now. Still, I don't think she'll celebrate with three breaks difference. Dodin is 1.83cm tall, and her hands can spread wide, so she'll have her say in Pliskova's second serve return. All in all, I see this as an evened out match where we should see at least one long set, and where Dodin won't lose by six games difference. Details