The Daily Star Ireland
Olympiakos host Anadolu Efes in a key early clash of EuroLeague 2025/26 on 14 October 2025, tipping off at 18:15 UTC at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus. The stakes are high: Olympiakos seek to assert dominance at home early, while Efes aim to prove that their rebuilt roster can compete on the road under pressure.
Olympiakos Preview
Under coach Georgios Bartzokas, Olympiakos play a balanced brand of basketball combining defense, transition, and deliberate half‑court execution. Bartzokas has emphasized recent years that “the team with fewer mistakes wins” in EuroLeague, and this squad is built to minimize errors while maximizing energy, especially in Piraeus.
On offense, expect Olympiakos to run early pick‑and-rolls, use staggered screens to free shooters, and push transition when turnovers or misses offer a break. Their ability to crash offensive boards and generate second-chance points has often been a difference maker at home. Defensively, they switch actively on the perimeter and rely on sagging help defense inside, closing off drives and contesting midrange takes.
Their rotation typically spans 8–9 players with veteran wings trusted in tight moments. In close games, Bartzokas often shortens his rotation and leans on trusted veterans to close. Injuries are a concern—recent seasons have seen key players like Sasha Vezenkov or Thomas Walkup tested by fatigue or knocks. If any frontcourt depth is compromised, their interior toughness versus Efes may suffer. Olympiakos’ strengths are home chemistry, rebounding, and defensive toughness; their weakness is vulnerability in isolation-heavy sequences and shooting droughts if their rhythm is disrupted.
Anadolu Efes Preview
Anadolu Efes, coached by Tomislav Mijatović, are undergoing a transition—having shifted from their former glory core into a reload phase. The roster still features stalwarts like Rodrigue Beaubois and Jordan Loyd, combined with newer pieces like Rolands Smits, Erkan Yilmaz, Ercan Osman, and Brice Dessert. They must lean on their shooting, spacing, and execution to offset any physical mismatches they face away from home.
Efes’ offense favors movement, off-screen actions, and spacing to punish closeouts. They can slow games and allow their shooters time, but also push tempo when opportunities arise. On defense they alternate between man-to-man and zone looks, often baiting opposing guards into mistakes. Their help rotation is well-drilled, though they can struggle defending against offensive rebounding if overwhelmed.
Their bench depth is stronger than many expect, which gives them flexibility. But their Achilles heel is interior domination—when facing big frontcourts on hostile floors, Efes can be outmuscled. Their strengths lie in shooting balance, backcourt play and situational execution; their vulnerability lies in rebounding and physical matchups inside.
Journey So Far & Momentum
Olympiakos have been consistent at home in recent seasons, often using Piraeus to pull away in tight EuroLeague groups. Efes are rebuilding, recovering from seasons without playoff success and seeking to reestablish themselves in the upper tier. Their early season road results are mixed—wins are hard-earned, and away pressure has tripped them up before.
Head-to-head history leans slightly in Olympiakos’s favor in recent matchups at home. In prior seasons, Efes have eked out narrow wins in Istanbul, but struggling away.
Recent Form & Trends
Olympiakos: Last 5 (approx): W – L – W – L – W
PPG: ~82‑85
Opp PPG: ~78‑82
Turnovers: modest, but vulnerable under pressure
Rebounding margin: Slightly positive at home
Home form: Strong; they defend well in Piraeus
Anadolu Efes: Last 5: W – W – L – W – L
PPG: ~86
Opp PPG: ~84
3PT %: relatively high among league teams
Turnovers: moderate; occasional bursts
Rebounding margin: modest, though weak in opponent boards
Trends suggest Olympiakos assert themselves more in the second half at home. Efes, when hot from three and executing their rotations, can stay competitive even when outmatched physically.
Key Players to Watch
Olympiakos
- Veteran wings (e.g. McKissic, Peters) who can knock down open shots and create spacing
- Bigs who crash boards and defend the paint
Anadolu Efes
- Jordan Loyd – lead scorer, often the engine of Efes’ offense
- Rodrigue Beaubois – veteran guard shooter
- Rolands Smits / Ercan Osman – forwards who must step up inside
What to Watch Live
Tempo is critical: Olympiakos want to slow things in half-court; Efes may try to open it. Mid-game adjustments will revolve around matchups and defensive schemes—Efes may switch between zone and man to disrupt rhythm. Key in-matchup battles include perimeter defenders versus shooters and frontcourt battles on rebounds. Depth will matter: how each bench responds in fatigue stretches could tilt momentum. Foul trouble, especially for bigs, can swing close games. The closing five minutes will likely be decided by execution, spacing, and composure.
Viewing Info
The game is available on EuroLeague TV internationally and on local broadcasters in Greece and Turkey. Tip-off is at 18:15 UTC on 14 October 2025.
Betting Insight & Angles
Moneyline: Olympiakos favored, especially at home
Spread: Olympiakos –4.5 to –7 depending on Efes’ injuries
Total Points: Lean Under / low total if defense dominates; Over if high pace
Player Props:
‑ Loyd over his points line
‑ Peters or McKissic over points or threes
‑ Olympiakos team offensive rebounds over
Angle: If Olympiakos clamp defensively inside and limit Efes’ second chances, they should win comfortably. If Efes get into rhythm and shoot well from deep, they might keep it close. Betting verdict: lean Olympiakos –5.5 as safer value in a physical, controlled matchup.
Prediction
Winner: Olympiakos
Predicted Score: Olympiakos 85 – Anadolu Efes 79
X‑Factor: Rebounding dominance and bench steadiness—those edges should help Olympiakos close the game.
This Olympiakos vs Anadolu Efes EuroLeague prediction points to a home win built on defense, rebounding, and closing strength. Expect Efes to fight, but Olympiakos likely hold firm late.
