Can Barcelona Return to Winning Ways Against Zalgiris? | Barcelona vs Zalgiris Kaunas Prediction | October 9, 2026
FC Barcelona
BC Zalgiris Kaunas
Barcelona will host Zalgiris Kaunas at Palau Blaugrana on October 9 in the fourth round of the EuroLeague. Both teams have won only once in their last three games, but Barcelona have made the stronger start to the European season with two victories from three matches. The Catalan side will also be looking to respond after losing the last two meetings with Zalgiris.
Barcelona
Barcelona have had an inconsistent start to the new season. They beat Valencia in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal before losing the final to Joventut Badalona. In the Liga ACB, the Catalan side have one win and one defeat, with their latest game ending in a 100-94 loss away to Murcia.
Their EuroLeague campaign has been more positive. Barcelona opened with an 89-82 home victory over Anadolu Efes before losing 94-87 to Dubai on the road. They responded with a convincing 95-82 win away to Besiktas and now sit sixth with a 2-1 record.
Barcelona have the stronger offensive numbers of the two teams. They rank fifth in the EuroLeague in scoring at 90.3 points per game and fourth in two-point shooting at 59.6%. Their 37.2% from three also ranks sixth. Kevin Punter leads the team with a 23.0 PIR and 20.0 points per game, while Barcelona are also the most efficient team in the competition at protecting the ball, averaging just 9.7 turnovers per game.
The Catalan side have also dominated this matchup at Palau Blaugrana. Barcelona have won eight of their last nine home meetings with Zalgiris, although the Lithuanian side won the most recent encounter in Spain.
Zalgiris Kaunas
Zalgiris arrive after an emphatic 97-68 victory over Lietkabelis in the Lithuanian League. They have been perfect domestically so far, winning all four of their games, but their EuroLeague campaign has been less convincing.
Zalgiris opened the competition with an 83-77 home win over Crvena Zvezda but then suffered consecutive defeats. They lost 93-91 to Olympiacos in Kaunas before falling 82-78 away to Paris. With one win from three games, Zalgiris currently sit 10th in the standings.
The Lithuanian side have been particularly strong on the glass. They lead the EuroLeague in offensive rebounds with 14.7 per game and rank third in total rebounds at 40.3. Their 25.7 defensive rebounds also rank fifth, while they sit eighth in assists with 20.0 per game and third in blocks at 3.7. Azuolas Tubelis leads the team with a 23.3 PIR, 8.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Zalgiris also have the better defensive profile in several areas. They allow 84.0 points per game, compared with 86.0 for Barcelona, and rank fifth in defensive PIR at 89.3. Their 27.3% three-point defense is the second-best mark in the EuroLeague. However, they allow opponents to collect 14.0 offensive rebounds per game, ranking 19th in the competition.
Key Trends
- Barcelona rank fifth in scoring at 90.3 points per game.
- Zalgiris rank first in offensive rebounds with 14.7 per game.
- Zalgiris rank third in total rebounds at 40.3 per game.
- Barcelona average only 9.7 turnovers, the best mark in the EuroLeague.
- Zalgiris allow 84.0 points per game, compared with 86.0 for Barcelona.
- Barcelona have won 8 of their last 9 home meetings with Zalgiris.
- Zalgiris have won the last two meetings between the teams.
- Barcelona lead the all-time EuroLeague-era H2H 32-10 since 2000.
Prediction
This is a much more competitive matchup than the standings alone suggest. Barcelona have the stronger scoring numbers and are shooting from two-point range, while their ball security has been excellent. Zalgiris, however, have a clear advantage on the glass and own one of the EuroLeague's strongest three-point defenses. The recent H2H record gives Zalgiris confidence, with the Lithuanian side winning the last two meetings. However, the broader picture strongly favors Barcelona at Palau Blaugrana. The Catalan side have won eight of the last nine home encounters with Zalgiris and have already shown they can produce strong offensive performances in the EuroLeague this season. Barcelona's home advantage, superior scoring efficiency and ability to avoid turnovers should give them enough control to respond to their recent H2H setbacks. Recommended Bet: Barcelona to Win
