Buckle up for a EuroLeague opener that’s got all the makings of a defensive slugfest, as Monaco hosts Zalgiris Kaunas in a clash that could set the tone for their seasons. With Monaco flexing their revamped roster and Zalgiris banking on continuity and new coaching blood, this game at Salle Gaston Medecin promises intensity. You’re in for a breakdown packed with stats, trends, and insights to make your Monaco vs Zalgiris betting tips sharper than a Mike James crossover.
The game tips off at 17:30 GMT+0 on October 1, 2025, at Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco, kicking off the EuroLeague regular season. No referee details are available yet, but expect a tightly officiated match given the stakes of this opening round in Europe’s premier basketball competition.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Get ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of this Monaco vs Zalgiris prediction today. We’ll unpack the teams’ recent form, their head-to-head battles, and key factors like injuries and new signings that could tilt the court. Monaco’s been a powerhouse at home, while Zalgiris brings a gritty defensive identity under new coach Tomas Masiulis. The numbers and trends below will give you the edge for smarter wagers. Let’s break it down with precision to fuel your betting confidence.
Monaco Results
Monaco’s been on a tear to start the season, blending star power with disciplined play under Vassilis Spanoulis. Their recent games show a team firing on all cylinders, especially at home, where they’ve dominated lesser opponents. The addition of Nikola Mirotic and Nemanja Nedovic only amps up their firepower.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 28/09/25 | LNB | Le Portel vs Monaco | 63-84 | W |
| 21/09/25 | LNB | Monaco vs Le Mans | 104-79 | W |
| 20/09/25 | LNB | Boulazac vs Monaco | 70-95 | W |
| 14/09/25 | CF | Monaco vs Crvena Zvezda | 79-86 | L |
| 13/09/25 | CF | Olympiacos vs Monaco | 70-83 | W |
Monaco’s three straight LNB wins highlight their offensive depth, averaging 94.3 points in those games. The loss to Crvena Zvezda in a friendly exposed some defensive lapses, allowing 86 points, but they bounced back against Olympiacos, showing resilience. Their home form at Salle Gaston Medecin looks rock-solid, with no game under 79 points scored. Mirotic’s integration has boosted their frontcourt, averaging 18 points in recent outings. This suggests Monaco’s ready to exploit Zalgiris’ interior if given space.
Zalgiris Kaunas Results
Zalgiris enters with momentum, leaning on a stingy defense and new faces like Nigel Williams-Goss. Their Lithuanian League games show they’re clicking early under Tomas Masiulis, who’s preaching discipline. Keeping Sylvain Francisco despite transfer buzz was a coup for their backcourt.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 27/09/25 | LKL | Neptunas vs Zalgiris Kaunas | 71-84 | W |
| 24/09/25 | LKL | Zalgiris Kaunas vs Siauliai | 93-72 | W |
| 20/09/25 | LKL | Jonava vs Zalgiris Kaunas | 78-87 | W |
| 17/09/25 | CF | London Lions vs Zalgiris | 63-68 | W |
| 14/09/25 | CF | Anadolu Efes vs Zalgiris | 69-90 | W |
Zalgiris is riding a five-game win streak across league and friendly matches, a testament to their defensive grit, holding opponents to 70.6 points on average. Their blowout over Anadolu Efes in a friendly (90-69) shows offensive potential, with Francisco dropping 22 points. The tight win over London Lions (68-63) suggests they can grind out low-scoring games. Masiulis’ system emphasizes pace control, which could challenge Monaco’s rhythm. Their consistency bodes well for a competitive showing in Monaco.
Head-to-Head: Monaco vs Zalgiris Kaunas
The rivalry between Monaco and Zalgiris has been tight, with both teams trading blows in recent EuroLeague matchups. Last season’s 1-1 split shows neither side gives an inch easily. Let’s look at their last five encounters to see who’s had the upper hand.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 25/03/25 | EUR | Monaco vs Zalgiris Kaunas | 96-86 |
| 01/11/24 | EUR | Zalgiris Kaunas vs Monaco | 63-62 |
| 04/04/24 | EUR | Monaco vs Zalgiris Kaunas | 69-66 |
| 08/12/23 | EUR | Zalgiris Kaunas vs Monaco | 79-83 |
| 29/03/23 | EUR | Zalgiris Kaunas vs Monaco | 79-70 |
Monaco holds a 3-2 edge in the last five, but the margins are razor-thin, with three games decided by six points or less. Zalgiris’ home win in November 2024 (63-62) was a defensive masterclass, while Monaco’s 96-86 victory in March 2025 showed their scoring ceiling. The tight scores suggest this game could hinge on a few possessions, especially with both teams’ defensive focus.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Monaco vs Zalgiris Basketball Match
Get ready for the EuroLeague opener on October 1, 2025, as Monaco and Zalgiris Kaunas lock horns in what promises to be a tactical showdown. Below, we’ve laid out the predicted starting lineups for both teams, based on recent performances, coach tendencies, and available players. These lineups reflect how Vassilis Spanoulis and Tomas Masiulis might deploy their squads to maximize strengths, with Monaco leaning on star power and Zalgiris banking on defensive grit.
| Monaco Player | Position | Zalgiris Player | Position |
| James | PG | Francisco | PG |
| Nedovic | SG | Lo | SG |
| Okobo | SF | Kalnietis | SF |
| Mirotic | PF | Wright | PF |
| Theis | C | Smits | C |
Injured and Questionable Players
Injuries can flip a game on its head, and for this Monaco vs Zalgiris clash, both teams are dealing with key absences. The table below lists players unavailable for the match, along with their reported injuries, based on the latest team updates. These absences could shape rotations and game plans, so factor them into your Monaco vs Zalgiris betting tips.
| Team | Player | Injury |
| Monaco | Yoan Makoundou | Ankle |
| Zalgiris | Dovydas Giedraitis | Knee |
Key Factors to Watch
This Monaco vs Zalgiris matchup is loaded with variables that could swing the outcome, from star players to tactical tweaks. Injuries, form, and recent trends all play a role in shaping our Monaco vs Zalgiris prediction 2025. Here’s what you need to keep an eye on to make sense of this battle.
- Monaco’s injury concerns: Yoan Makoundou’s absence weakens their frontcourt depth;
- Zalgiris’ missing guard: Dovydas Giedraitis being out puts pressure on Francisco and Lo to handle James;
- Monaco’s home dominance: They’ve won their last three LNB games at Salle Gaston Medecin by 21+ points;
- Zalgiris’ defensive rating: Second-best in EuroLeague last season, allowing just 78.2 points per game;
- Mirotic’s impact: Averaging 18 points in recent games, he’s a matchup nightmare for Zalgiris’ bigs;
- Francisco’s leadership: His 15.7 points and 6.2 assists in LKL games show he’s in top form;
- Monaco’s backcourt depth: Losing Jordan Loyd leaves them thin behind James and Nedovic;
- Zalgiris’ coaching change: Masiulis’ disciplined system could disrupt Monaco’s offensive flow.
Free Tips on Monaco vs Zalgiris
Want to sharpen your bets for the Monaco vs Zalgiris clash on October 1, 2025? This list of tips, grounded in stats and trends from past games, will help you spot the edges that matter. From team momentum to tactical matchups, here’s how to approach this EuroLeague opener with confidence.
- Track player scoring trends: Check if key scorers like Mike James (averaging 19.5 points in recent LNB games) or Sylvain Francisco (15.7 points in LKL) are in rhythm, as their output often dictates game flow;
- Study pace and tempo: Monaco’s up-tempo style (98.2 possessions per game) clashes with Zalgiris’ slower pace (94.6 possessions), so expect the team that controls the rhythm to gain an advantage;
- Evaluate bench impact: Monaco’s bench has outscored opponents by 12 points on average in recent wins, while Zalgiris’ reserves struggle without Giedraitis, making depth a deciding factor;
- Consider referee tendencies: EuroLeague refs often call tight games early in the season, so check if this crew leans toward more fouls, impacting free-throw-heavy players like Mirotic;
- Factor in travel fatigue: Zalgiris’ road trip to Monaco after a busy LKL schedule could sap their energy, especially in the fourth quarter against a fresh Monaco squad.
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Monaco vs Zalgiris Match Prediction 2025
This Monaco vs Zalgiris prediction 2025 leans toward a gritty, low-scoring affair, with Monaco’s home court and star power giving them a slight edge. Their revamped roster, led by Mike James and Nikola Mirotic, should exploit Zalgiris’ frontcourt, especially with Moses Wright still adjusting to EuroLeague physicality. Monaco’s 94.3-point average in recent LNB games shows they can score in bursts, but Zalgiris’ elite defense (78.2 points allowed last season) will keep this tight. The Monaco vs Zalgiris odds favor the hosts, but don’t expect a blowout, Zalgiris’ discipline under Masiulis and Francisco’s playmaking (6.2 assists per game) will make them pesky. The under 167.5 points tip aligns with both teams’ defensive identities and their history of close, low-scoring games (e.g., 63-62 in November 2024). Monaco’s home crowd and deeper bench should seal a narrow win, likely by 5-8 points, as they capitalize on late-game execution. With Makoundou and Giedraitis out, both teams will lean heavily on their stars, but Monaco’s firepower tips the scales.
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Monaco Win | 1.26 |
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