Zenit St Petersburg will search for its fourth sequential triumph over Anadolu Efes Istanbul when it has the defending champ on Thursday. Zenit (12-7) cleared its ordinary season games against Efes (10-10) last season and recorded a 79-90 triumph in Round 8 in November this season.

Conner Frankamp drove the way for Zenit with 18 points, yet isn't relied upon to play this week because of a lower leg injury. Zenit had won four in succession prior to tumbling to AS Monaco last week. Coach Xavi Pascual's men are 6-4 at home this season.

Rebounding might be absolutely critical for Zenit St Petersburg when it faces Anadolu Efes Istanbul. Zenit has outrebounded rivals by a normal of 4.5 sheets per game - including 7 when it beat Efes recently.

With Arturas Gudaitis out, Zenit will require Jordan Mickey, Alex Poythress and Andrey Zubkov to move forward on guard and the glass to keep up with that advantage since it can sick bear to allow Efes' strong assault second opportunities.

Efes edged Panathinaikos OPAP Athens 82-81 on a late Adrien Moerman triple to end a two-game slide. The champs are 3-7 out and about this season. Undoubtedly that is not a record for a roster like this.

Ataman tries to find a motive for his players, probably for himself also. Larkin had an injury but fortunately it is not something important and he will be available.

Efes' defense has had its battles up until this point this season, permitting a normal of 79.4 points per game. The group is 3-6 when it has permitted rivals to score no less than 80. Notwithstanding, when the offense gets rolling, Efes is at its ideal.

The group is 9-2 when it has scored 80. Scoring that many points against Zenit will not be simple; it has permitted 80 points just multiple times the entire season, however it lost every one of the three of those games. Pushing the speed and wearing out the Zenit safeguard might be the key for Efes to win in St Petersburg.

The two teams have faced each other in 4 Euroleague games. Zenit has 3 wins, while Anadolu Efes has won 1 time.

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

• FullTime Result :2.10 (Zenit) - 1.76 (Anadolu Efes)
• Over/Under 155.5 points : 1.90 (Over) - 1.90 (Under)
• Race to 20 points: 1.66 1.86 (Zenit) - 1.80 (Anadolu Efes)

*bet365 odds are correct at time of publishing (27/01, 15:00 CET) and are subject to change | 18+, T&Cs Apply, BeGambleAware.org

Mickey vs. Dunston

Zenit St Petersburg and Anadolu Efes Istanbul might be groups most popular for their guard play, however it very well may be the centers who assume the main parts this week. With Arturas Gudaitis sidelined, Jordan Mickey played 39 minutes last week and conveyed 18 points and 5 blocks the week before. He could be in for a weighty responsibility this week when he faces the EuroLeague's untouched innovator in blocks, Bryant Dunston. The Efes center has been in extraordinary structure and averaging 13.7 points on 72.7% shooting, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks over his last three games. Controlling the paint will be basic this week and Mickey and Dunston might play the greatest parts.