Monaco vs Virtus Bologna prediction and odds

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The new 2023-24 EuroLeague season for Valencia and Monaco started with unpleasant defeats. Both teams will be desperate now to avoid a 0-2 start and both will seek the win with aggression. There are lots of gifted scorers at both ends of the floor. However, both teams are also missing key players. Here are our Monaco vs Virtus Bologna predictions.

Monaco vs Virtus scaled — Photo by Eurokinissi / Icon Sport

Monaco vs Virtus Bologna – game predictions

Contents

1 Monaco vs Virtus Bologna – game predictions
- 1.1 Prediction 1: Donatas Motiejunas under 5.5 rebounds @ 3/5 (1.60)
- 1.2 Prediction 2: Monaco +6 points @ 4/7 (1.57)
2 Monaco vs Virtus Bologna preview – is Kemba ready to dazzle in Europe?
- 2.1 Virtus Bologna news, injuries, and starting lineups
- 2.2 Monaco vs Virtus Bologna head-to-head record since 2000
3 Monaco vs Virtus Bologna game details

Here are our Monaco vs Virtus Bologna predictions. You can find more EuroLeague predictions here.

Prediction 1: Donatas Motiejunas under 5.5 rebounds @ 3/5 (1.60)

Monaco’s centre Donatas Motiejunas is very good at boxing out players but he is not the best of rebounders. Motiejunas grabbed 5 rebounds in round 1. However, he’s averaging only 4.5 rebounds per game for his 5 years in the EuroLeague. Last season in all competitions Motiejunas averaged 4.7 rebounds per game for Monaco. This is why we don’t think he will grab more than 5 rebounds in this game either.

Prediction 2: Monaco +6 points @ 4/7 (1.57)

Our second prediction backs Monaco to win the match and also cover the 6-point handicap against them. Monaco won both games between the sides last season in double digits. The French team dominated at home in the EuroLeague in the previous campaign and more of the same can be expected now.

Also, if Kemba Walker really makes his debut in the coming match the Monegasques will have a 3-time NBA All-Star on the court. All that makes us think Monaco will cover the spread.

These odds were correct at the time of writing.

Monaco vs Virtus Bologna preview – is Kemba ready to dazzle in Europe?

Monac’s fans are eagerly waiting to see if their new star Kemba Walker will finally make his debut.

Monaco news, injuries, and starting lineups

Monaco struggled to get going in Valencia last week and despite a solid display from their leaders James and Okobo, combined for 38 points, the French team lost the game. It has been a shaky start to the new season for Monaco, which is a bit surprising after they reached the Final Four last season and strengthened well this summer.

Monaco’s big summer signing Kemba Walker is yet to play but it has been reported that he is getting in shape fast and there is a possibility for him to make his debut in this coming home match. There is no such hope for a key starter last term Jordan Loyd. He has back problems and has been ruled out indefinitely.

Monaco won both games vs Virtus Bologna in the EuroLeague last season and they will be eager to win again now.

Monaco Injury Report:

Jordan Loyd SF – ruled out

Kemba Walker PG – doubtful

Monaco Starting Lineup:

Mike James, Kemba Walker, Elie Okobo, Petr Cornelie, Donatas Motiejunas

Virtus Bologna news, injuries, and starting lineups

Virtus Bologna were very disappointed to lose last week at home against Zalgiris. The Italians led through three quarters but never managed to open a gap and this proved costly in the final period. Ognjen Dobric didn’t lay very well on his EuroLeague debut for Virtus. Veteran Bellineli was 0 of 4 from distance in round 1 and finished with 7 points. For Virtus to win he will need to be much better.

The dressing room has been in the sober mood lately though. One of the best bigs in the squad Achille Polonara has a serious health issue and he is ruled out for the season as he needed emergency surgery. Without Polonara Virtus Bologna have a size problem and their rotation will have to change dramatically.

Virtus Pallacanestro Bologna S.p.A. comunica che l’intervento chirurgico a cui si è sottoposto in data odierna Achille Polonara è tecnicamente riuscito.
Nei prossimi giorni verranno stabilite modalità e tempistiche per la ripresa dell’attività sportiva.
FORZA @ilpupazzo33 💪 pic.twitter.com/tWMb4laBzr
— Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) October 10, 2023

Virtus Bologna Injury Report:

Achille Polonara PF – ruled out

Virtus Bologna Starting Lineup:

Alesaandro Pajola, Marco Belinelli, Ognjen Dobric, Tornike Shengelia and Jordan Mickey

Monaco vs Virtus Bologna head-to-head record since 2000

The sides have met only 6 times, all from 2019 onward. Virtus Bologna won 4 of those games but last season Monaco were a convincing winners in both EuroLeague clashes.