Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Analysis and Prediction – Real Madrid will play against Barcelona in the Liga Endesa semifinals Playoff Game 1.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Odds
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid has been the dominant team for most of the season. Consequently, they led the Liga Endesa standings until a few rounds before the end when Unicaja overtook them. Additionally, they are entering this game after a defeat in the EuroLeague final. In the Liga Endesa quarterfinals, they comfortably defeated Gran Canaria 2-0.
What was evident is that Real Madrid’s game heavily relies on three-point shooting. When their shots are falling, no team in Europe can match them. However, when they miss open shots and get nervous, things can turn bad for them. Mario Hezonja has hit only one of his last 15 three-point attempts. Dzanan Musa shot 1/6 in the EuroLeague final, and Walter Tavares had foul trouble, spending much of the game on the bench. These issues must be avoided in this game. Head Coach Chus Mateo said his team would mourn the EuroLeague final loss for a night but must lift their heads the next day and focus on their upcoming obligations. The first of these is against Barcelona. It could be positive that the veteran trio of Sergio Rodriguez, Sergio Llull, and Rudy Fernandez found their form late in the season and could make a significant impact in such games. Center Vincent Poirier seems to be on his way out of the club, with a transfer to Anadolu Efes being mentioned, which could affect the rest of the team, especially with rumors of significant changes.
Real Madrid needs to establish a game tempo that suits them and use good ball movement to hit open three-point shots. They are significantly stronger in the paint than Barcelona, so they should look to get the ball to their centers to exploit this advantage.
Barcelona Team News
Barcelona finished the regular season in third place. However, they had a challenging time in the Liga Endesa quarterfinals, narrowly defeating Tenerife 2-0. Given the current momentum, this is the best time for them to try to disrupt their great rival, Real Madrid.
In the second game against Tenerife, Barcelona was trailing by five points with a few minutes remaining. A 13-3 run in the final moments secured their win and a spot in the semifinals. This positive turn has boosted the players’ confidence and belief in coach Roger Grimau’s strategies. The recent performances of Barcelona have also been promising. Tomas Satoransky, who had been quiet for most of the season, found his form, scoring 24 points with 8/10 shooting before the game against Real Madrid. Jabari Parker has also been accurate, and Nicolas Laprovittola always seems particularly motivated against his former team. Jan Vesely will have a significant role in the paint, needing to counter Real Madrid’s strong center line, while Ricky Rubio and Nikola Kalinic must quickly improve their form. Rumors of potential transfers are swirling around both teams, with Kalinic reportedly on the verge of leaving the club, possibly affecting his minutes and performance. However, the inspiration of facing a great rival could bring out his best.
Barcelona heavily relies on their shooting, and having multiple players in good form can devastate any opponent, including Real Madrid. Alex Abrines’ three-point shooting will also play a crucial role. They need to find a way to compensate for their disadvantage in the center position, where Real Madrid excels. Their backcourt must respond effectively to the opponent’s game, particularly in shooting, which is their greatest chance for the win.
Every day, “Basketball Sphere” provides all its readers with the best predictions for today’s games.
If you are reading our analysis for the first time, then it is important to mention that every day we also offer to our readers a “Acca of the Day” completely free.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona H2H
Absences and Injuries
Real Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 29.05.2024, 20:30 CET
Prediction: Barcelona +6.5
Odds: 1.95
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
We found the best odds for this game at the popular 22Bet sportsbook. You will get an attractive Welcome Bonus for all newly registered customers if you register today.
Top Betting Offers 2024: