Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the EuroLeague match.
The EuroLeague has just begun, so a win or loss at this stage won't significantly impact final standings. However, the pressure from the stands at the Peace and Friendship Stadium will likely be intense—expect a fierce battle with two possible outcomes.
Olympiacos Piraeus
In the first round of the EuroLeague, Olympiacos Piraeus suffered a defeat against Fenerbahçe (71:82). This was their first and only loss of the new season so far. Before that, the club clinched the Greek Super Cup for the third consecutive time, edging out Panathinaikos by just one point (86:85) in the final, and then comfortably defeated Lavrio (93:75) in the opening round of the Greek league.
Žalgiris Kaunas
Žalgiris Kaunas led almost from start to finish in their game against Barcelona, securing a victory in their EuroLeague opener (74:67). The standout performer was Lithuanian newcomer Sylvain Francisco, who posted 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 17 minutes, with a PIR of 20. However, in the fourth round of the Lithuanian Championship, Francisco's 15 points weren't enough to beat Lietuvos Rytas (88:91). Inconsistency is clear: beating a Spanish powerhouse one day and losing to a local mid-table team the next.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs Žalgiris Kaunas Prediction
Žalgiris impressed in their first game, but they have struggled against Olympiacos Piraeus. In their last six EuroLeague meetings, regardless of location, the Greek club has always emerged victorious. In Piraeus, the home team has consistently won by at least 10 points. The same trend is expected to continue on Friday, as Žalgiris have been unpredictable, and they performed above their usual level against Barcelona.
