Zaragoza vs Unicaja: Analysis and Prediction – Zaragoza and Unicaja will play a match in the second round of Liga Endesa.
Zaragoza vs Unicaja Odds
Zaragoza vs Unicaja (1/2): 3.13 / 1.37
Asian Handicap (+6.5 / -6.5): 1.88 / 1.92
Total Over/Under (163.5): 1.87 / 1.91
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
Zaragoza Team News
In the opening round, Zaragoza didn’t catch a break in terms of scheduling. They were on the road against Real Madrid, where they suffered a substantial defeat. At various moments, the “Royal Club” led by a margin of 37 points, although Zaragoza managed to somewhat mitigate the final score.
Their summer was marked by a tumultuous transfer window. They swapped out a majority of their players, with Santiago Yusta being one of the few familiar faces remaining. In that showdown against Real Madrid, Jahlil Okafor emerged as their star acquisition, expected to bring significant contribution to the team with his NBA experience. Emir Sulejmanovic, Dejan Kravic, Obi Emegano, and Andrea Cinciarini also joined Zaragoza, and it’s anticipated that they will reach their full potential as the season progresses and the team gels. As an addition for the guard spots, the team will undoubtedly benefit from Trae Bell-Haynes, a bronze medalist with Canada at the FIBA World Cup. American player Mark Smith is another significant acquisition, who is expected to handle a significant part of the team’s offensive orchestration.
As we previously mentioned, the Liga Endesa schedule didn’t do Zaragoza any favors at the start of the season. However, facing top-tier opponents early might be a blessing in disguise, allowing them to reach their desired form in time for those crucial must-win matchups.
Unicaja Team News
The Ibon Navarra basketball players showcased their quality at the Spanish Super Cup. They made it to the finals, where they were defeated by Real Madrid, which wasn’t exactly surprising. Similarly, it was business as usual when they outplayed Tenerife in the opening round of the domestic championship.
What’s most encouraging for Unicaja at the beginning of this season is certainly the fact that Dario Brizuela is no longer with them, and they’ve displayed quality and strong performances without him. In the current team dynamics, Dylan Osetkowski, Kendrick Perry, and Will Thomas are the pivotal players, and a lot hinges on their performance on match day. Melvin Ejim is also there to provide stability in the paint, and their victory against Tenerife with minimal in-game fluctuations indicates they’re on the right track.
They undoubtedly wish to continue their string of good performances, and playing an as-yet unsettled Zaragoza team could be to their advantage. If they aspire to seriously challenge the top of the table this season, it’s crucial that they secure victories against teams from the bottom half of the standings without any hesitation.
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Zaragoza vs Unicaja H2H
Last season, the two teams met twice, and on both occasions, Unicaja emerged victorious. Looking at the sample from their previous ten matches, Zaragoza managed to win four games, while the remaining six were claimed by the Malaga-based team.
Absences and Injuries
In the Zaragoza squad, Borisa Simanic will be sidelined indefinitely due to an injury sustained during the FIBA World Cup. The rest of the players for both teams are available.
Zaragoza vs Unicaja Prediction
In the current state of affairs, Zaragoza definitely isn’t shining at the start of the season. They will need some time to gel as essentially a brand-new team. Unicaja has demonstrated a consistency in their good performances right from the season’s onset. Therefore, our betting suggestion is that the team from Malaga will win by a margin greater than the offered handicap.
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 27.09.2023, 20:00 CET
Prediction: Unicaja -5.5
Odds: 1.79
Sportsbook: 22Bet