For the fifth time in the season, the two teams will face each other, with Efes having lost the first match last October for the Turkish championship but winning the next three in the Euroleague, Championship and Turkish Cup final. Ataman's team comes from a comfortable 109-77 victory over Maccabi at home that followed the conquest of the Cup in Bursa.

With the new data created by the imminent final departure of the Russian teams, last year's trophy winner enters the 8th for good with a record of 11-9 and a match less than the 5th Bayern of 12-9, two victories over the 9th Fener. If they beat it again, then they will have the advantage of essentially four victories as he will prevail in the tie between them.

Anadolu Efes Istanbul head coach Ergin Ataman said before the game: "We need to win with great b-ball and great battle in the EuroLeague derby between the two groups who address our country. The leftover nine games in the customary season will be in the last state of mind, and the game we will play against Fenerbahce Beko, which has a wide list, is the hardest one. We are looking great, however past games are not an action for this game. We should keep ascending with the help of our fans."

James Anderson added: "We are on the final lap of games so every game builds up to make the end of the season games or not. We are conflicting with our opponent group so it will be a hard battled game yet assuming we play like we have been of late we should win."

After counting five consecutive victories in 2022 despite the absences of the experienced De Colo and Veseli, Fenerbahce suddenly rolled into defeats again. They lost to Monaco last week 92-78 without making its presence felt and on Sunday in a postponed match in Belgrade they lost again to Asteras 74-69 despite the return of De Colo and Bartel.

With the new data that have been created and given the departure of the Russian teams, Fener will have a record of 9-12, a victory behind the 8th Monaco against which, however, lags behind in the tie. American guard Henry (7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4 assists) got injured in the Turkish Cup, Czech center Veseli (13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds average) and center Duverioglu (3.1 points, 2.3 rebounds average) who was injured in the World Cup qualifiers with the Jordanian National Team, are all out tonight.

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul lead trainer Sasa Djordjevic: "The injuries and actual issues are making our program. In any case we are investing all the additional energy with each and every individual who will wear the Fenerbahce pullover on the floor. Furthermore tomorrow it will be some other time like that. We have a few players who are returning after an extensive stretch of nonappearance. The group needs to change as fast as conceivable into their attributes and afterward into our game most certainly.

He continued: "So this is something that we should have as a top priority to get the best game out of our folks. It will be an extreme game, we know who we are fronting. Anadolu Efes, with every one of their assets and individual ability, our extra actual exertion and most certainly mental sturdiness could be the key."

The two teams have faced each other in 17 Euroleague games. Efes has 6 wins, while Fener has won 17 times.

Let's take a look at main and special odds markets offered at bet365 website :

• FullTime Result: 1.29 (Efes) - 3.70 (Fenerbahce)
• Over/Under 158.5 points : 1.90 (Over) - 1.90 (Under)
• Race to 20 points: 1.66 (AX Olimpia Milano) - 2.10(Zalgiris)

*bet365 odds are correct at time of publishing (03/03, 15:00 CET) and are subject to change | 18+, T&Cs Apply, BeGambleAware.org

Micic vs. Guduric

Micic has 16.3 points per game this season. Despite the presence of Larkin, he is the leader of Efes this season. His performance is crucial for Efes and it has been proven many times in Euroleague games so far.

Marko Guduric has an excellent season. He is double-digit in points, 10.8 per game. The Serbian ace covered as more as he could the absence of De Colo, when the French veteran was injured.

The battle of the two Serbians will be crucial to decide the team that will win the big derby.