The Daily Star Ireland
Maccabi Tel Aviv host FC Barcelona in a high-stakes EuroLeague clash on October 14, 2025, at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv. Tip-off is set for 18:05 UTC. With both teams hoping to cement themselves in the early playoff picture, this matchup offers a test of Maccabi’s high-tempo home-court firepower against Barcelona’s veteran precision and depth.
Maccabi Tel Aviv Preview
Coaching & Identity
Head coach Oded Kattash continues to steer Maccabi with an aggressive, high-pace style. The team thrives on chaos—early shot clocks, offensive rebounding, and physical perimeter pressure define their approach. Kattash often relies on short rotations and lets his top guards dictate tempo, particularly in transition.
Tactical Breakdown
On offense, Maccabi leverages high pick-and-rolls and isolation drives. Their goal is to collapse defenses and either finish strong or kick out to spot-up shooters. Defensively, they rely on switching man-to-man schemes, with help defense at the rim and aggressive contesting on the perimeter.
The bench has been a concern. Without deep shooting options, Maccabi’s second unit often struggles to hold leads. Clutch moments typically see Kattash revert to veteran-heavy lineups with a focus on one-on-one creation.
Injuries & Lineup Issues
Tamir Blatt is sidelined with a hamstring injury, weakening Maccabi’s backcourt depth. Jaylen Hoard is also questionable—his presence would be vital in battling Barcelona’s length and rebounding.
Strengths
- Transition scoring
- Offensive rebounding
- High energy at home
Weaknesses
- Turnover-prone under pressure
- Inconsistent shooting
- Shallow bench rotation
FC Barcelona Preview
Coaching & Identity
Barcelona enter with continuity and structure. Their game revolves around ball movement, spacing, and punishing mistakes. The coaching staff promotes disciplined execution, late-clock efficiency, and team-first defense.
Tactical Breakdown
On offense, Barcelona employs motion sets, off-ball screens, and mismatches through swing plays and high-low action. They excel in the half-court and rarely beat themselves. Defensively, they rely on drop coverages, strong help rotations, and excellent defensive rebounding.
Rotation-wise, they have one of the deepest benches in the league, often running 9 or 10 deep without losing identity. Their second unit can maintain tempo and defensive intensity, giving them a crucial edge against shallower teams like Maccabi.
Injuries & Lineup Notes
Nico Laprovittola, Jan Vesely, and Justin Anderson have all battled injuries. Their availability may impact depth slightly, but the core remains intact.
Strengths
- Elite three-point shooting
- Strong perimeter defense
- Depth and late-game execution
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable in transition
- Occasional offensive lulls if spacing collapses
Journey So Far
Maccabi have stumbled early in the EuroLeague season, alternating wins and losses with little rhythm. They’re scoring at a decent clip (~86 PPG) but leaking points (95 PPG), showing inconsistency on the defensive end.
Barcelona come in with steadier form, winning three of their last five. They’ve shown the ability to close tight games and beat tough opponents even with lineup changes, thanks to their bench and execution.
Recent Form & Team Stats
Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Record (last 5): L–W–L–L–W
- PPG: ~86
- Opponent PPG: ~95
- 3PT %: ~30%
- Turnovers: 14+ per game
- Rebound Margin: –3.5
- Net Rating: –5.3
- Momentum Score: 4/10
FC Barcelona
- Record (last 5): W–W–L–W–L
- PPG: ~89
- Opponent PPG: ~81
- 3PT %: ~38%
- Turnovers: ~11
- Rebound Margin: +4.1
- Net Rating: +6.2
- Momentum Score: 7/10
Barcelona hold the clear edge in shooting, defensive rating, and rebounding—three key pillars of EuroLeague success.
Key Players to Watch
Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Wade Baldwin IV – Tasked with creating offense in Blatt’s absence. Needs to balance scoring and playmaking under pressure.
- Bonzie Colson – A do-it-all forward who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions. His energy will be crucial against Barcelona’s physical wings.
FC Barcelona
- Will Clyburn – Averaging 16+ PPG, Clyburn is Barcelona’s go-to scorer and closer in tight contests.
- Rokas Jokubaitis – The playmaker who keeps the offense fluid. His decision-making will be tested by Maccabi’s perimeter pressure.
What to Watch Live
- Tempo Control: Maccabi will want a fast-paced, transition-heavy game; Barcelona will try to slow it down and dominate in half-court sets.
- Mid-Game Adjustments: Barcelona’s rotations and defensive tweaks after halftime often shift momentum.
- Key Matchups: Baldwin vs Jokubaitis at the point, Colson vs Clyburn on the wing, and how Maccabi’s bigs handle Barcelona’s depth inside.
- Foul Trouble: Especially among Maccabi’s thin frontcourt—if they get into foul issues early, Barcelona could run away in the second half.
Where to Watch Live
The game tips off at 18:05 UTC and will be available on EuroLeague TV. Regional broadcasts include Sport5 in Israel and Movistar+ in Spain. Replays and multi-language commentary will be available post-game.
Betting Insight
- Moneyline: Barcelona slight favorites
- Spread: Barcelona –5.5
- Total Points: Over/Under 165.5
- Props to Watch:
- Clyburn over 15.5 points
- Baldwin over 4.5 assists
- Maccabi over 10.5 offensive rebounds
Given both teams’ contrasting tempos, the over is appealing if Maccabi can dictate rhythm. Barcelona’s structured defense may suppress late scoring bursts if they lead.
Betting Verdict: Expect a close contest early, but Barcelona’s depth and execution give them clear value at –5.5.
Prediction
Projected Winner: FC Barcelona
Projected Scoreline: Barcelona 88 – Maccabi Tel Aviv 82
Tactical X-Factor: Barcelona’s bench depth and three-point efficiency—if they shoot above 38%, Maccabi will struggle to keep pace.
This Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FC Barcelona EuroLeague prediction points to a strong Barcelona finish in Tel Aviv, as veteran poise and shooting efficiency prove decisive in the final minutes.
