Zalgiris vs Bayern Basketball Prediction and Betting Tips

Zalgiris vs Bayern Basketball Prediction. The EuroLeague Round 24 game between Zalgiris Kaunas and FC Bayern Munich will take place on January 30, 2025, at Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas, Lithuania. Tip-off is set for 18:00 UTC, and with the playoff race heating up, this is a must-win game for Zalgiris.

Zalgiris vs Bayern Basketball Prediction and Betting Tips – 2025 01 30

Game Overview: A Critical Match for Zalgiris

The last time these two teams met on November 7, 2024, Bayern narrowly won against Zalgiris 77-74 in Munich (our previous Zalgiris vs Bayern basketball prediction). At that time, both teams were fighting at the top of the EuroLeague standings. Things have changed significantly since then.

Zalgiris has struggled in recent weeks, especially in the second halves of games, often losing focus and allowing opponents to take control. Despite these issues, they have been much better when playing at home, and with their playoff hopes on the line, they should bring maximum intensity to this game.
Bayern, on the other hand, has been mediocre on the road this season, holding a 10-10 away record across the EuroLeague and BBL. But their ability to win close games makes them a serious threat, even in Kaunas.

Adding an interesting dynamic to this game is Zalgiris head coach Andrea Trinchieri, who knows Bayern inside and out from his time as their head coach (2020-2023). He will likely have a strong tactical plan to counter Bayern’s strengths, making this a fascinating battle on the sidelines as well.

Zalgiris vs Bayern Basketball Prediction Factors to Watch

Trinchieri’s Game Plan Against His Former Team

Having coached Bayern for three seasons, Trinchieri knows their tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses better than almost anyone. Expect him to prepare Zalgiris with detailed scouting and defensive adjustments, especially against Bayern’s perimeter shooting and transition offense. His experience could be a game changer, as he will look to exploit Bayern’s weaknesses.

Zalgiris’ Second-Half Struggles

One of the biggest issues for Zalgiris this season has been their inability to maintain consistency in the second half. They’ve often started games strong but struggled after halftime, allowing opponents to take control. If they want to beat Bayern, they must stay disciplined for all four quarters.

A key player to help stabilize their play will be Sylvain Francisco, the energetic point guard who can control the tempo and create scoring opportunities. His decision-making under pressure will be crucial in preventing another second-half collapse.

Three Point Shooting

Bayern is a dangerous perimeter team, relying heavily on three pointers to generate offense. Carsen Edwards as usual will be the main scoring threat, capable of catching fire from deep if given space.  Johannes Voigtmann also plays a key role, as his ability to stretch the floor from the center position gives Bayern more spacing for their shooters. Zalgiris will need aggressive perimeter defense to limit Bayern’s efficiency from beyond the arc. That and the importance of this game, might lead to a game with lots of fouls.

On the other side, Zalgiris also depends on the three-point line to generate points. Sylvain Francisco and Loonie Walker will need to knock down shots consistently to keep up with Bayern’s firepower. A good night from Deividas Sirvydis might also make a difference.

Betting Tips [Zalgiris vs Bayern Basketball Prediction]

Game Winner: Zalgiris Kaunas
Despite their struggles, Zalgiris has been a much better team at home, and Trinchieri’s inside knowledge of Bayern should give them an edge.

Handicap: Zalgiris -3 @1.90 at Velobet
With their urgency to win and home advantage, Zalgiris should cover a -3 point spread. With high stakes, expect an intense and competitive game, with Zalgiris doing just enough to secure a much needed win. This is our main prediction, as it holds more value than taking straight win for Zalgiris.

Total Points: Over 161
Both teams prefer a fast paced game with plenty of three point attempts, and the intensity of this matchup should lead to a higher scoring affair. Zalgiris defense is very solid, but they shoot a lot of three pointers and usually try to play faster at home. Fouls and free throws in the closing minutes could also push the total score over 161 points.