MBA vs Zenit. Battle of the top representatives of the VTB United League

On January 16, in the central match of the 21st round of the VTB United League 2022/23, the guys from the capital from the MBA will host Zenit St. Petersburg on the floor of the Basket Hall arena in Moscow.

• Expert Predictions Analysis
• MBA vs Zenit facts
• History of the confrontation
• Odds
• Game Totals Prediction

Our Expert Predictions & Analysis on MBA vs Zenit

MBA

The club can already be considered the opening of the VTB United League season. Objectively, it is difficult for MBA basketball players to compete only with CSKA, UNICS and Zenit in the long run. Yes, in the season they have misfires with other opponents, but in this world, except for the season from CSKA, no one is perfect.

The team is currently on a three-game losing streak. It looks terrible on paper, but if you look, not everything is critical here. There are two losses from the leaders (CSKA and UNICS), which can be forgiven. There is a difference in class, and it is undeniable. There remains only a failure in the battle with the Yenisei, which dragged on until overtime. This happens, the guys from the IBA gave a lot of strength in battles with Muscovites and Kazan, and they just didn’t have enough energy to leave for Krasnoyarsk.

It won't be easy at home against Zenit, but you have to look for your chances. They will definitely be, the main thing is that the implementation does not fail. There are good performers in the MBA, you need to bet on them. For example, Kasatkin can drag the match.

Zenit

With a balance of 16/4, the team is in third place. UNICS and CSKA in the regular season Petrograders can't catch up. It was to them that Zenit lost their matches this season. There is no need to be dramatic here. You need to calmly go to the next round. The third position of the team from the banks of the Neva is also not in danger. In fact, the meeting with the MBA is not very important for the "blue-white-blue". You need to win only for the sake of prestige. No other advantages are seen in this result.

Petersburg leader Thomas Ertel entered the fresh top five of the VTB United League 2022/23 tour. In the last match, he scored 20 points for himself (of which he scored 12 with shots from behind the arc), the guy also has nine assists and five rebounds.

History of the confrontation

On November 21, 2022, the teams have already crossed paths in the current season of the VTB United League. The meeting was held in St. Petersburg. The hosts of the site won it with a score of 87:62. Guests then took only one quarter. Earlier (in September) the teams met in the semifinal of the Gomel Cup. Petersburg in that battle were again better (67:59). The clubs do not yet have other common matches.

Odds from download 1xbet

Zenit are the reigning tournament champions and 1xbet see them as clear favourites. The betting company is prepared to give only 1.16 for Win 2. The odds for Victory 1 are 5.45. Total less than 155.5 pays 1.89. Breaking this points ceiling costs 1.89. If you take a handicap of 2 (-12), you can multiply your pot by 1.88. Download 1xbet to your phone and place a bet on the favorite!

Game Totals Prediction

Zenit don't really need a matchup with IBA, but for the Muscovites this battle is important, as they need to defend their fourth place in the table. Yes, they've already secured a place in the next round of the tournament, but they need to go in from a good place. In any case, Pasquale won't let their side walk the floor. He already has ideas for the foreseeable future, and he will play them down. In the end, the guests will win and do so extremely confidently - Win 1 and handicap 1(-12). The home team has no reason to close down, they will actively run the attacks until the final siren, so the overall score of the game promises to be relatively big - Total more (155.5).