SPLIT (Interstat) — Promitheas Patras will visit Split on Wednesday at Arena Gripe in Split, Croatia, in a matchup of clubs looking to stabilize their early-season form. Promitheas Patras enters at 5-5, while Split is 5-3 and playing at home. The teams have taken different paths to their current records, with Promitheas Patras alternating wins and losses for much of the campaign and Split showing more consistency on its home floor. The game offers both sides a chance to build momentum before a demanding stretch.

Jake Forrester is the player to watch for Promitheas Patras. The forward has shown the ability to contribute on the glass and score in spurts. He scored 10 points with five rebounds at Lefkadas and 10 points with eight rebounds at Trepca Mitrovice. He also had nine points, five rebounds and three assists against Trier and eight points with three rebounds against Batumi. In the most recent outing, a loss to Olympiacos, Forrester finished with four points and five rebounds in 17 minutes. Promitheas Patras will need him to be active inside and help offset Split’s frontcourt.

Vito Kucic is the player to watch for Split. Kucic has been a reliable scoring option and has produced several strong performances. He scored 19 points with two rebounds and one assist at Alkar, 16 points with three rebounds and two assists at Trier, and 13 points with two rebounds and three assists at Dubrava. He also had 17 points at Opava and 14 points with five rebounds and five assists against Kvarner. Kucic’s ability to score from the perimeter and create for others makes him central to Split’s attack.

Promitheas Patras is coming off an 85-45 loss to Olympiacos. Arnoldas Kulboka had 11 points and three rebounds, Adonis Arms added five points, six rebounds and one assist, and Forrester had four points and five rebounds. The result followed a win over Batumi and a narrow win at Lefkadas. Split is coming off a 76-75 win at Alkar. Kucic led the way with 19 points, Mindaugas Kacinas added 13 points and two rebounds, and Trenton Mclaughlin had nine points, three rebounds and three assists. Split had lost its previous two games against Trier and Zadar before that victory.

The matchup at Arena Gripe figures to test Promitheas Patras defensively and put pressure on Split to protect its home court. Promitheas Patras will look to Forrester and its supporting cast to generate enough offense, while Split will lean on Kucic’s scoring and playmaking.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Split 92, Promitheas Patras 87.