In what has become one of the most lopsided duels, the formidable Europe and the USA renew rivalries as the Mosconi Cup returns to London’s famous Alexandra Palace from December 3-5.
Jayson Shaw will captain a European side also involving Joshua Filler, David Alcaide and newcomers Moritz Neuhausen and Pijus Labutis, while Skyler Woodward leads out his unchanged American team of Fedor Gorst, Shane van Boening, Tyler Styer and Billy Thorpe.
Ahead of the 32nd Mosconi Cup in the British capital, Ben Hudd provides his best bets and analysis as the Americans attempt to regain the cup for the first time since 2019.
Mosconi Cup 2025 betting tips
- Joshua Filler to be top overall points scorer – 9/2 VirginBet
- David Alcaide to be top overall points scorer – 8/1 William Hill
- Tyler Styer to be top American points scorer – 11/2 Bet365
The Mosconi Cup enters its 32nd edition but the heat remains hotter than ever before, and that was evident in Tuesday’s press conference at Alexandra Palace. European captain Shaw exchanged words with both Woodward and Styer, laying the foundations for yet another entertaining battle.
Europe may have dominated of late, winning 14 of the last 16 editions, although it remains the most captivating and compelling event on the calendar, and this year could provide one of the best opportunities that the Americans will have to regain the cup for numerous reasons. That was whispered last year but this year it’s more true.
With Germany’s Neuhausen and Lithuania’s Labutis having secured their respective debuts, Europe will have two rookies amongst their ranks. And, the last time that the Europeans had two rookies was in 2018 – when the USA last won the cup and Woodward, Styer, Van Boening and Thorpe were all on their team.
Premier League winner Neuhausen and Hanoi Open champion Labutis thoroughly deserved their places on the European team, evolving into two of the World Nineball Tour’s most consistent performers. Neuhausen experienced the teams environment at October’s Reyes Cup and Labutis coped well with the raucous crowd during his Hanoi Open win, although nothing can prepare you for the Mosconi Cup and the intensity that comes with it.
Neuhausen and Labutis are good friends away from the table, perhaps the reasoning behind them being Europe’s second doubles pairing, but Woodward labelled their Mosconi Cup debuts as an advantage that his team need to use and possibly one that the USA will vie to exploit. Both have developed experience, but nothing comes close to the Ally Pally atmosphere.
For the Americans, world number one Gorst has acquired a more prominent role behind the scenes this year, and captain Woodward naming an unchanged team could play into their hands somewhat. All five players have won the Mosconi Cup before – despite Gorst’s win coming in European colours – and know exactly what it takes to prevail.
UK Open semi-finalist Styer could be the guy to excel for the Americans in this campaign. He’s beaten two of Europe’s most successful players in London in Niels Feijen and Filler, and his record in doubles matches is a relatively decent one, especially alongside Van Boening.
Anything the Americans can produce equally depends on European blunders nonetheless. Shaw and Filler have won all five of the most recent MVP awards and both could equal Feijen’s record this year, while Europe have never lost with David Alcaide on their team and the Spaniard has an astonishing 7-1 record in singles matches. Alcaide being top points scorer (8/1) could be tremendous value.
Having received a wildcard following his Philippines Open win, 46-year-old Alcaide commented at the press conference that he never knows which will be his last Mosconi Cup. It would be magnificent viewing to witness the four-time major champion add an MVP award to his resume.
