Empoli go head-to-head against Bologna on Friday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.
This match will be played on 16/03/2024 at 02:45
Empoli and Bologna take on each other at Stadio Carlo Castellani in the opening match of the Serie A round 29. The Nerazzurri aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to Cagliari and Milan and we are positive that the relegation-threatened hosts will leave their hearts on the field. Ardian Ismajli limped off with injury in the last league match, with Bartosz Bereszynski likely to step up. Jacopo Fazzini misses out through suspension.
The Rossoblu, on the other hand, are eager to stay in the Champions League berth. Considering that the visitors will go for a victory in Friday’s showdown as well, we are going to bet on both teams to score. As for the away team, Riccardo Orsolini is pushing for a recall to the starting XI, while all Jesper Karlsson, Joshua Zirkzee, and Adama Soumaoro continue to miss out with injuries.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have installed Bologna as overwhelming favourites with a win priced at 11/10 by yyslot. A victory for Empoli is valued at 14/5 with YYslot while yy slot is offering odds of 21/10 for a draw.
Head to head
Empoli have a 7-5 edge with seven draws from19 previous matches against Bologna. However, Bologna claimed a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in October with Riccardo Orsolinni netting a hat-trick.
Players to watch
With Bologna often unconvincing at the back on their travels, Empoli will be looking to take advantage. Forward M’Baye Niang has three goals in five appearances since joining in January and is priced at 15/4 by yyslot to get on the score sheet on Sunday.
Joshua Zirkzee is the leading scorer for Bologna with 10 goals and is priced at 2/1 by yyslot to find the net on Friday. Riccardo Orsolinni has nine goals and having netted a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, could be considered in the same market at 23/10 by yyslot.
Recent Meetings
Bologna claimed a demolishing 3-0 victory in the return game played in October last year at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Bologna are winless in the last nine visits to Stadio Carlo Castellani, though. Empoli have managed five wins and four draws in the process.
Just one of the last four head-to-head games between Empoli and Bologna produced goals at both ends.
Empoli vs Bologna Prediction
Both teams need points for their separate battles. Bologna have shown more consistency and quality throughout the season. We see them favourites here despite their horrendous record at Stadio Carlo Castellani. After all, Thiago Motta’s squad won six of the previous seven league outings. Empoli did not show much in the last two games. They offered a particularly disappointing performance in the previous home match at the start of the month. Davide Nicola’s troops fell 0-1 to Cagliari on the occasion. Bologna should have what it takes to get three points on Friday night. You can back this scenario at the 2.05 odds.
Both teams head into this off the back of separate 0-1 defeats in the previous round. Bologna have generally been very difficult to break down lately. They shipped only three goals in the previous six Serie A affairs despite facing the likes of Fiorentina, Lazio, Atalanta, and Inter Milan along the way. Three of Empoli’s last four league matches ended with fewer than three goals scored. The Under 2.5 goals FT pick is the way to go at the 1.61 odds.
