Real Madrid - Panathinaikos BC predictions and free betting tips [26/05/2024]

Today, Real Madrid and Panathinaikos clash in the gold medal match of the EuroLeague Final Four.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid has exhibited impressive form in the current EuroLeague campaign, successfully securing a spot in the final. Under the guidance of coach Matteo Huse, the Madrid club finished the regular season in first place and then easily overcame Baskonia in the playoff series. In the semi-final, they triumphed over Greek side Olympiacos with an 87-76 victory, where Dzanan Musa made a significant contribution, scoring 20 points. Mario Hezonja also provided additional support, adding 12 points.

In this semi-final clash, Real Madrid displayed their superiority, especially in defence, limiting the impact of Olympiacos' key players in the paint. The opponents managed only 2 field goals from centres Fall and Milutinov, underscoring the dominance of the Spanish team in defensive actions. The overall number of two-point shots for Olympiacos was a mere 12 compared to Real's 19, further illustrating the Madrid team's defensive effectiveness.

Heading into the final, Real Madrid is in excellent shape and confident in their abilities. The club's consistent performance throughout the season, along with the high skill level of their players, positions them as favourites in the upcoming match. Real legends Sergio Rodriguez and Llull are in the hunt for the top scorer title in the history of the Final Four. Llull currently has 207 points, while Rodriguez has 198.

Panathinaikos

Under the leadership of Ergin Ataman, Panathinaikos secured a place in the EuroLeague Final Four, finishing the regular season in second place behind Real Madrid. On their way to the semi-finals, the Greek team faced a significant challenge, extending their series to 5 games against Maccabi Tel Aviv, who proved to be worthy opponents. Thanks to their home-court advantage and fan support, Panathinaikos emerged victorious. In the semi-final against Fenerbahce, the team displayed a powerful performance, especially in the first quarter, which was key to their convincing 73-57 win.

In this matchup, Mathias Lessort played an outstanding role, scoring 17 points with 9 rebounds. The team also showed high efficiency in defence, limiting Fenerbahce to 33% shooting accuracy. This was a noticeable contrast compared to the series against Maccabi, where Panathinaikos fought for every quarter.

Relying on their strong defensive play and offensive efficiency, Panathinaikos approaches the final game with optimism. The upcoming match against Real Madrid promises to be intense, given the historical difficulty in their relationship with the Madrid side. Despite only having 2 wins in the last 18 games against the Spanish giant, the current form and strategic preparation may give the Greeks the edge they need for success on the international stage.

Head-to-Head

In the last 5 meetings, Panathinaikos has secured 2 victories. The most recent game on 29 February 2024 ended in a 97-86 win for Panathinaikos. On 7 December 2023, Real Madrid suffered a loss in Greece, 78-90. However, in previous encounters, Real Madrid more often emerged as the stronger side: on 1 February 2023, the Madrid team won 83-68, on 6 October 2022 in Madrid - 71-68, and on 31 March 2022, Panathinaikos lost at home 86-87.

Forecast for the Real Madrid vs Panathinaikos match

The final is set to be incredibly tense, with the nominal guests from Greece backed by the crowd and capable of putting up a fight against the favourites. Bet on Panathinaikos with a positive handicap as they chase a historic victory in the Final Four.