Ten years later, Olympiacos are the favorites for the title

262059-orange

Ten years later, Olympiacos are
the favorites for the title

Basketball clubs from Greece have had a prominent place in the history of the Champions of Europe ever. This is since Panathinaikos won the first title as far back as 1996. Since then, the two permanent participants in the competition, have claimed a total of 9 titles. Six for PAO and another three for Olympiacos. However, it has been 10 years since the last time a title was awarded to either team. Two attempts from the club from Piraeus in 2015 and 2017 were unsuccessful. However, this year, their performance has led all the top bookmakers to consider them as the major favourites for this year’s title.

The numbers do not reveal the whole truth

At this time, Olympiacos are at the top of the table with a record of 21 wins and 8 losses at a +260-point differential. Real Madrid follow suite at 20 – 9 and +181, while third Monaco count 19-10 at +67. Barcelona completes the top 4 with the home-field advantage at 18-10 / +92. Only the French can have some mathematical hope of overtaking the Reds at the top.

What the numbers do not say is the fact that the Greeks, with only a few exceptions, have been dominant in their matches. They set the pace and force the rest of the teams to try. A close examination of their defeats reveals that they actually lost the match through a bad performance of their key players.

For the rest of the regular season and the playoffs

Partizan, Villeurbanne, and Panathinaikos form the trifecta of the next matches for the regular season. Only the Serbians may present a serious challenge for the favorites. Chances are that Olympiacos will emerge victorious from all three, thus maintaining the absolute home-field advantage. As it stands now, the opponents that the Greeks will face in the playoffs will be either Valencia or the team from Belgrade. However, things around the 8th position can change radically in the three rounds that remain.

When Tyler Dorsey left Olympiacos at the end of last season to chase his future at the NBA, people thought that a major portion of the team’s offensive potential would be irreplaceably lost. However, Sasha Vezenkov stepped his game up and is undoubtedly the most serious candidate for this year’s MVP award. The rest of the players on the roster did the same, hence, the strong claim that they will be this year’s Champions.

The odds controversy

If a punter were to take a look at the outright odds for the winner of the competition, they would see a rather controversial list:

  • Real Madrid @4.00
  • Barcelona @4.50
  • Olympiacos @4.50
  • Fenerbahce @9.00
  • Monaco @10.00
  • Efes @12.00

Given that the Greeks defeated Madrid both away (87-89) and at home (73-60) during the regular season, it is rather strange, to say the least, that the Spanish are still considered the more likely winners. Perhaps this is based on the record that has the Merengues at the top of the titleholders, having won 10 awards. Furthermore, listing Fenerbahce as a 4th possible winner does not match the level of performance of the Turkish team.

Those who use the best betting platform with highest odds and also check tipster blogs have witnessed the discussion on whether the offers of the list present an opportunity for some good profit. This is, considering the 4.50 as an overpriced suggestion. The critical question to be answered is whether the experience and expertise of Real Madrid can overcome the robust stature of the Greeks. The answer is anyone’s guess at this point.