Time is running out for Bologna and the team needs to start winning points if they want to extend their stay in the Champions League. Lille will bring their experience and good form to Italy and try to climb to the Top 8.
Bologna remain the only side to yet score a goal in the Champions League this season. Playing good defensive football is not enough at the highest level and they sit near the bottom of the League Stage table, with three defeats in four matches.
The first half of the month saw Bologna win three games in a row in Serie A, so there is a glimpse of hope ahead of this clash. But the team was clearly not ready to play at the highest level. Their only point came against Shakhtar Donetsk in the first round.
Lille extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches with their 1-0 win over Rennes last weekend. The team may not be the most attractive when it comes to goals but no team has been able to solve their tactics in over two months.
Lille easily had one of the toughest CL schedules but managed to beat three of the best teams in the world. We saw a 1-0 over Real Madrid and a 3-1 over Atletico Madrid in October, then a 1-1 draw with Juventus in the previous round.
How the bookies view it: The odds look wrong
Bookmakers gave Bologna a slight advantage ahead of this game but overall, the odds are close. You can back the home side at 29/19 or the visitors at 2/1, while the draw is currently available at 21/10 at Betano.
Recent head to head: The start of a new rivalry
This will be the first time these teams meet in an official setting, although there is no data about any friendlies from the past either.
Players to watch: Four in a row in the Champions League for David
Jonathan David could once again be the man of the hour for Lille. The Canadian is 16 goals away from becoming Lille's all-time top goalscorer and he already found the net 13 times in the current season.
He scored the winning goal against Real Madrid, the winning brace against Atletico Madrid, and the only goal in the draw against Juventus.
Probable line-ups
Bologna: Ravaglia, Miranda, Lucumi, Bekuema, Posch, Orsolini, Pobega, Fabbian, Feuler, Odgaard, Castro
Lille: Chevalier, Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Gudmundsson, Zhegroba, Andre, Gomes, Bouaddi, Sahraoui, David
Anything else catch the eye?
Bologna attempted nearly 50 shots in the first four rounds and still remained without a single goal. They will face a team with an incredible defence and it is hard to expect much in this setting.
Lille's form has been impressive even with the big number of draws lately. If they beat Atletico Madrid at Metropolitano, they should have a fair chance at beating a debutant like Bologna.
The odds present us with a massive opportunity. However, if you prefer to play the safe game, you can opt for the Draw No Bet market, and back Lille at 1/1. With this market, our stake will be voided if the match ends level, and we will not lose any money. And if Lille win, we also win.
This UEFA Champions League match between Bologna and Lille will be played on Nov 27, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Bologna vs Lille prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
