Alba Berlin-Real Madrid: looking to clinch home-court advantage in the EuroLeague playoffs

Real Madrid head to face Alba Berlin tonight in the first of two away games in this last EuroLeague Regular Season double-header (they also face Partizan on Thursday). The competition leaders go head-to-head with the German outfit looking to get the win that would make sure of home-court advantage in the playoff with three games still to play. It would also represent our highest ever number of wins and away victories in a Regular Season. Chus Mateo will be without Sergio Rodríguez and Rudy, while Llull, Hezonja and Poirier are all doubtful.

Madrid are within touching distance of home-court advantage (they sit five wins ahead of fifth and sixth place) and close to making sure they finish top of the pile (three wins more than second). But Chus Mateo will be doing all he can to ensure his team doesn't get complacent and has underlined the importance of "a strong mentality and having respect for the opponent." Alba Berlin currently lie in last place with five wins, but the pressure is off for them now as they'll hope to give their fans something to cheer. They also boast a tough playing style, with a high-intensity, direct approach that won't be easy to stop.

The Berlin team recover more balls than anyone and stand out on the offensive rebound too. Brown at point guard and Thiemann at center are their key men in offense, while Matt Thomas and Procida always pose a threat. Madrid will have to show their strength as a unit, as they are once again plagued by injuries. Llull is a doubt ahead of the game, but he sits just three triples away from Juan Carlos Navarro's all-time best tally. Abalde and Yabusele will be available though, and both are enjoying a fantastic run of form.

Fifty victories 
Real Madrid consolidated their lead at the top of the League on Sunday when they clinched their 50th win of the campaign in just 59 games. Twenty-three have come in the EuroLeague, 10 on the road, and stats that mean we have already equalled our best ever Regular Season. A win today would take us to the 24 wins achieved by Anadolu Efes in 2019/20, and Barcelona and Olympiacos in 2020/21, still the highest number by any team at this stage. And there are three games still to play - first things first though, securing home-court advantage.