ALBACETE, Spain (Interstat) — Coto Cordoba CB will visit Albacete on Saturday at Pabellón del Parque in a matchup of teams that have each split their first two games. Both sides enter with 1-1 records, and each will look to build momentum in a competitive early-season slate.

Coto Cordoba CB’s most recent result was a 70-67 loss at Palencia. Michael Nugu led the way with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists in 26 minutes. Jalen Cone added 11 points and one assist in 20 minutes, while A. Rodriguez contributed 13 points and two rebounds in 23 minutes. Earlier, Coto Cordoba CB defeated Zamora 72-57 at home. Nugu scored 16 points and pulled down two rebounds in 22 minutes in that win.

Nugu has been the central figure for Coto Cordoba CB. In the loss at Palencia, he produced a game-high 23 points and also contributed on the glass and as a playmaker. His performance against Zamora showed similar efficiency, with 16 points in 22 minutes. Coto Cordoba CB will need that production to continue on the road.

Albacete’s most recent outing was a 104-92 win at Tizona. The team’s only other result this season was a 95-69 home loss to Palencia. Silvano Merlo is a player to watch for Albacete. In the loss to Palencia, Merlo finished with six points, three rebounds, seven assists and one block in 25 minutes. His ability to create for teammates could be important against Coto Cordoba CB.

Albacete will count on its home court and recent scoring form after putting up 104 points at Tizona. Coto Cordoba CB, meanwhile, has shown it can win at home and compete on the road. The matchup could hinge on whether Albacete can control pace and whether Nugu can duplicate his recent scoring output.

After Saturday, Coto Cordoba CB is set to host Caja 87, while Albacete is scheduled to visit Gran Canaria. Both teams will then continue a busy stretch of games in the coming weeks.

Coto Cordoba CB has alternated results to begin the season, following a home victory with a narrow road defeat. Albacete has done the same, losing at home before responding with a high-scoring road win. The contrast in recent form makes the meeting at Pabellón del Parque a chance for either club to move above .500.

A projection model favors Albacete by four points, with a projected final score of 79-75 and an over-under of 154.5. The model gives Coto Cordoba CB a 42% chance to win, reflecting Albacete’s home-court advantage and recent offensive output.