Turkey vs Serbia: Predictions and Betting Tips for September 3, 2025

In the fifth round of the EuroBasket group stage, Turkey will play against Serbia. The match is set for Wednesday, September 3, in Riga, with a tip-off at 20:15 Central European Time. I am placing a bet on the total points for this game.

Match preview

Turkey enters EuroBasket 2025 with a well-rounded team, featuring their standout player, Alperen Şengün. The Houston Rockets center is strong in the paint, creates openings for teammates, and scores in various ways. His adaptability allows Turkey to adjust their strategy based on their opponent, making them unpredictable.

Cedi Osman and Shane Larkin add perimeter scoring, posing a constant threat to rival defenses. Turkey often uses off-ball movement and plays at a high pace, allowing them to find open shots and capitalize on fast breaks.

While Turkey can face challenges in rebounding and perimeter defense against top teams, their quick pace and the standout performances of their key players make them dangerous, setting up for a high-scoring match against Serbia.

Under Ataman’s coaching, Turkey has performed well in the tournament and has already secured a playoff spot. Their main competition in the group has been Latvia, but they remain unbeaten so far.

Serbia is one of the favorites at EuroBasket, owing to their balanced team and extensive experience. Nikola Jokić is a pivotal player, excelling in scoring, passing, and controlling the pace. His presence enables Serbia to play a methodical, half-court game effectively.

Jokić is supported by Bogdan Bogdanović and Nikola Jović, creating a strong perimeter trio. Serbia is adept at managing the pace and their energy levels, which is vital in a busy tournament schedule.

The team’s depth and diverse offensive strategies are Serbia’s main strengths. Their coaching staff can rotate players without losing quality, and they adapt well to different situations during games.

Serbia has comfortably defeated Czechia, Portugal, and Estonia in the tournament. Only Latvia managed to challenge them, but even then, Jokić and his teammates maintained control. In this final group-stage match, Serbia and Turkey will compete for the top spot.

Match facts

• Turkey has won seven consecutive games.
• Serbia is on a 16-game winning streak.
• Turkey averages 91 points per game, while Serbia averages 86.

Players to watch

Nikola Jokić is undeniably one of the stars of the championship. The Denver Nuggets center is in great form, posting impressive statistics. He has recorded three double-doubles in this tournament and scored an amazing 39 points in the game against Latvia.

H2H

Turkey last defeated Serbia in 2013 and has lost the last eight encounters since then.

Prediction

Considering both teams’ playing styles, an open, fast-paced game with plenty of scoring is expected. Turkey is unlikely to change their fast-break approach, while Serbia has the quality to match the tempo. I am betting on a total of over 160 points.