Luis Torres
Dailysports's expert
Fenerbahçe
Paris Basketball
On April 22, 2025, the first quarterfinal match of the EuroLeague will take place at the Ülker Sports Arena in Istanbul, where Fenerbahçe will host Paris. Both teams have shown excellent performance in the regular season and will now fight for the coveted spot in the semifinals. Let's consider a bet on the winner of this clash.
Fenerbahçe
Fenerbahçe has delivered outstanding results in this EuroLeague season, despite not being considered favorites at the campaign's start. The team finished the regular season in second place with a 23–11 record, and coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius received well-deserved recognition for his work. Key players like Nigel Hayes-Davis, Tarik Biberovic, and Marko Guduric consistently display high levels of play, especially in offense, where Fenerbahçe relies on accurate long-range shots. Despite focusing on offensive play, the team is also solid in defense.
With the return of Wade Baldwin and the roster strengthening with Eric McCollum, Fenerbahçe seems fully prepared for the decisive playoff matches.
As for the national championship, the team is in control there as well — having suffered only one defeat throughout the season, Fenerbahçe confidently leads the Turkish league.
Paris Basketball
Paris Basketball, in its debut EuroLeague season, has already made a loud statement. With a final record of 19–15 and an impressive 10-game winning streak in mid-season, the team proved capable of competing on equal terms with any opponent. TJ Shorts has undoubtedly been the driving force for the Parisians — his outstanding play earned him a spot in the EuroLeague All-Star team.
The team finished the regular season in eighth place and made it to the playoffs through the Play-In round. Despite this, Paris managed to reach the quarterfinals by defeating Real Madrid 81-73, even on the road. However, the team faces lineup challenges: key players Daulton Hommes and Maodo Lo are out of action.
Paris places significant emphasis on three-point shots and overall creative offense, and if they find their rhythm in Istanbul, they can pose problems for the hosts. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that the teams have met twice this season, and despite fierce competition, Fenerbahçe emerged victorious in both games.
Interesting facts and head-to-head encounters
- Fenerbahçe has won 20 of the last 21 home matches.
- Fenerbahçe has claimed victory in 8 of the last 9 matches.
- Paris Basketball has won 3 of the last 4 away matches.
- Paris Basketball has secured victory in 6 of the last 7 matches.
Prediction for the match Fenerbahçe vs Paris Basketball
Fenerbahçe appears to be the favorite in this matchup due to their experience, strong roster, and home advantage. They not only excel in offense but also boast a reliable defense. Paris faces a tough challenge, considering they haven't beaten Fenerbahçe in both head-to-head matches this season. While Paris is capable of surprises, the team from Istanbul looks more balanced and prepared to win this first quarterfinal game. My bet for this match is a Fenerbahçe victory with a -4 handicap and odds of 1.61.
