Bologna welcome Empoli to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara for a Serie A fixture as they seek their first win of the season. Empoli have the quality to make things difficult but Bologna will be keen to get things going at home and should have the edge on Saturday.
It has not been a particularly smooth start to the post Thiago Motta era for Bologna, who have been well below their best so far. They have struggled to find their rhythm and are still seeking their first win of the season.
Bologna head into Saturday’ clash off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Napoli last time out in Serie A. They had played out a 1-1 draw with Udinese in their opening fixture and manager Vincenzo Italiano will look to channel the positives from that result having scored first.
Empoli were impressive last in their previous Serie A fixture as they claimed a 2-1 victory at Roma. They raced to a two-goal lead through Emmanuel Gyasi and Lorenzo Colombo, and were able to hold on despite conceding 10 minutes from time.
While things are looking tricky for Bologna, Empoli are enjoying a fine start to the season. Roberto D’Aversa’s men are unbeaten in their three matches across all competitions, claiming two wins in that run.
How the bookies view it: Bologna overwhelmingly favoured
Despite their poor start to the season, Bologna are still considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies at 4/6 with Betfred. A victory for Empoli is valued at 9/2 by Betfred, who is offering 13/5 for a draw.
Head to head: Slight edge for Empoli
Empoli have a 7-6 edge with seven draws from 20 previous matches against Bologna. However, Bologna did the double last season, with the clash at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara ending 3-0 thanks to a Riccardo Orsolini hat-trick.
Players to watch: Orsolini to strike again
Orsolini is also off the mark for Bologna this season, scoring in the opening fixture. The forward also netted a hat-trick in this fixture last season and is priced 2/1 by Betfred to find the net once again.
Lorenzo Colombo could be worth keeping an eye on for Empoli after scoring his first goal of the season last time out. The forward is priced at 4/1 by Betfred to get on the score sheet on Saturday.
Probable line-up
Thijs Dallinga was an unused substitute in Bologna’s defeat to Napoli and could return to the starting line-up on Saturday. Orsolini is also expected to continue in attack but defender Martin Erlic is ruled out with injury.
Tyronne Ebuehi, Samuel Perisan and Szymon Zurkowski all remain sidelined with injury for Empoli. The visitors are likely to stick with much of the team that won at Roma, with Combo leading the line.
Bologna: Skorupski, Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Moro, Freuler, Aebischer, Ndoye, Orsolini, Dallinga
Empoli: Vazquez, Walukiewicz, Ismajli, Viti, Gyasi, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella, Solbakken, Fazzini, Colombo
Anything else catch the eye?
Bologna and Empoli have quality in attack and both teams could be backed to score at 11/10 with Betfred. Over 2.5 could also be considered at 11/10 with Betfred, who is also offering odds of 11/4 on over 3.5 goals.
With Bologna priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, a win and over 2.5 goals could be considered at 9/5 with Betfred.
This Serie A match between Bologna and Empoli will be played on Aug 31, 2024 and kick off at 17:30. Check below for our tipsters best Bologna vs Empoli prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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