On October 3, the new Euroleague season will start for Zalgiris Kaunas - Barcelona. The prediction for the match between these rivals is made by Dailysports analysts.
Zalgiris Kaunas
The Lithuanian club has already started the domestic championship, the team won all three matches, with a score difference of at least 13 points. Zalgiris doesn't feel much competition in the domestic arena, but at the same time, last season they sensationally lost in the playoff final to Rytas.
As for the Euroleague, the team was left out of the playoffs last season, finishing only 14th in the regular season. Now, Zalgiris fans will definitely be expecting rehabilitation, as the team is definitely capable of more. The goal of making it to the Euroleague playoffs looks doable.
Barcelona
From the Catalan always expect victories and trophies, but last season the team did not win anything. In the Euroleague, Barcelona made it to the playoffs, but lost in the quarterfinals to Olympiacos with a score of 2-3 in the series. They failed to play powerfully in the Spanish championship, there they lost in the semifinals of the playoffs to the main enemy Real Madrid, and with a 0:3 set in the series.
A new season begins, there is an opportunity to draw conclusions from past mistakes. Catalans played in the Spanish Super Cup, there they lost in the semifinals to Real Madrid with a score of 83:89. In the first round of the Spanish regular championship, the team confidently defeated Granada on its parquet with a score of 91:65.
Match Facts
- Zalgiris has only won so far this season.
- Barça is scoring at least 83 points in their games this season.
- Bookmakers have prepared the following quotes for this match: W1 - 2.35, W2 - 1.59.
Key player
It is hard to single out anyone in the lineup, Ignas Bradzeikis of Zalgiris is looking good this season, he is averaging almost 15 points.
H2H
- The teams have a long history of head-to-head meetings, I can only remember last season, where Barça won both games - 85-80 away and 91-73 away.
- Zalgiris can not beat the opponent in the last five meetings.
Prediction
In this clash between two experienced rivals, the visitors are considered slight favorites. Zalgiris will try to break the unpleasant series against Barça, but they need to show their best basketball. I think a bet on a total over 159.5 points is appropriate.