Bologna will be targeting a first leg advantage when they travel to Empoli for the Coppa Italia semi-final. The hosts are struggling at the moment and should be no match for the high-flying visitors, who are expected to claim the upper hand on Tuesday.
Empoli have been on a Cinderella run in the Coppa Italia, claiming a number of Serie A scalps on their way to the semi-final. They needed penalties to see off Juventus in the previous round after holding out for a 1-1 draw.
The Coppa Italia has served as a welcome distraction for Empoli who are currently in the relegation zone and are winless in their last 14 Serie A matches. They played out a 1-1 draw with Como last weekend and have also lost six of their last seven home matches, failing to score in the last three fixtures.
It has been an impressive couple of years for Bologna, with Vincenzo Italiano seemingly improving on Thiago Motta’s work. They will be keen to get their hands on some silverware and are in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia after a 1-0 victory at Atalanta in the previous round.
Bologna have built some momentum lately, winning their last five matches in all competitions. They claimed a 1-0 victory at Venezia in Serie A last weekend and are now unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 away matches across all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Bologna on top
Bologna have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at odds of 3/4 to claim the win. A victory for Empoli is valued at 7/2 while a draw is set at odds of 11/5 By BoyleSports.
Head to head: Hosts have the edge
Empoli have a 7-6 edge with nine draws from 22 previous matches against Bologna. Both teams played out 1-1 draws in their two Serie A meetings this season.
Players to watch: Eyes on visiting defence
Bologna had a shutout at Atalanta in the previous round and will be targeting a repeat on Tuesday. Sam Beukema and Jhon Lucumi have a solid partnership at the back and can lead the visitors to a clean sheet at 23/20 with BoyleSports.
At the other end of the pitch, Riccardo Orsolini often carries the attacking threat for Bologna, with support from Dan Ndoye. Both men can ensure the visitors produce over 1.5 goals on Tuesday at 20/21 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Empoli are without Szymon Zurkowski, Youssef Maleh and Pietro Pellegri all of whom are sidelined with injury. Christian Kouame should lead the line once again after scoring the equaliser at Como while Ardian Ismajli is set to continue at the back.
Lorenzo De Silvestri is currently sidelined for Bologna alongside Santiago Castro and Charalampos Lykogiannis. Orsolini is expected to start in attack alongside Ndoye and Thijs Dallinga.
Empoli: Silvestri, Marianucci, Ismajli, Cacace, Sambia, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella, Esposito, Gyasi, Kouame
Bologna: Skorupski, Miranda, Beukema, Lucumi, Calabria, Ferguson, Freuler, Ndoye, Odgaard, Orsolini, Dallinga
Anything else catch the eye?
Bologna have scored first in three of the last four matches against Empoli and could be set for a repeat at 4/7 with BoyleSports. With Empoli struggling for goals at the moment and failing to score in their last three home matches, a win to nil for the visitors can be considered at 7/4 with BoyleSports.
The visitors have won the first half in their last two matches and can be backed to produce a similar outcome at 6/4 with BoyleSports.
This Coppa Italia match between Empoli and Bologna will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Empoli vs Bologna prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
GambleAware