Will the Peters maintain their victorious sequence?
Match Preview: Zenit and Samara lock horns on December 7th, 2023 in the VTB United League 2023/24. The showdown takes place at the Sibur Arena sports complex in St. Petersburg, with the tip-off scheduled for 19:30 Moscow time.
Zenit
After a rocky beginning, Zenit has found its groove. Currently, they sit comfortably in second place, boasting only four losses in 14 games. The team is on a six-match winning streak. The standout performer is Trent Fredette, who was recently named to the VTB League Symbolic Five. In their last fixture, Zenit bested Uralmash on the road. Kyle Kuric and Bojan Dublevic were among the key contributors.
The absence of main star Ertel due to an injury has not deterred Zenit, as evidenced by their recent results. Kudos to head coach Pasqualone for guiding the team through this challenge.
Samara
With a 7-7 record, Samara finds itself just outside the playoff zone. Despite this, they share a similar record with Uralmash, who currently occupies a playoff spot. Samara has lost their last two VTB League matches, snapping a three-game winning streak.
In their most recent bout, Samara faced a crushing defeat at the hands of Enisey on the road, losing every quarter. Despite standout individual performances from Nikola Rebic, Justin Robinson, Hayden Dalton, and Alexander Gudumak, team cohesion was lacking.
Historical Rivalry
Zenit and Samara have clashed previously, with the Saint Petersburg side coming out on top in both their 2022 encounters (82:70 away and 93:65 at home). The teams met for the first time in 2016 in a domestic cup match, with Zenit winning 81:71. In the current round of the VTB United League, Zenit secured a 84:76 victory in the first leg in Samara.
Bookmaker Odds
Bookmakers have no doubt about the outcome of this match, with Zenit considered the clear favorite. Odds of winning at 1.11 are given for a home win, while an away win is priced at 6.75. The under (161.5 points) is at 1.82, with the over at 1.88. The handicap for Zenit (-14.5) stands at 2.00.
Prediction
Zenit badly needs a win to boost their scoring margin, and they are looking strong heading into this match. Samara will give it their all, but the teams' strength levels may prove too far apart. Back Zenit (-14.5) at 2.00 for a dominant home victory.
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- The upcoming match between Zenit and Samara on December 7th, 2023, in the VTB United League 2023/24, will be held at the Sibur Arena sports complex in St. Petersburg, with the tip-off scheduled for 19:30 Moscow time.
- Despite the absence of main star Ertel due to an injury, Zenit has been on a six-match winning streak and currently sits in second place, boasting only four losses in 14 games, averaging 161.5 points per game in sports basketball according to bookmakers.
- Samara, despite sharing a similar record with a playoff-bound team, has lost its last two VTB League matches and will face a tough challenge against the current league leaders, Zenit.
- The historical rivalry between Zenit and Samara has been in favor of Zenit, who have won both their 2022 encounters and hold a 2.00 handicap advantage in the current round of the VTB United League, making them bookmakers' clear favorites for this match.
