Verdict: Bologna double chance
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
In what is a season-defining showdown for both camps on Sunday night, Bologna will welcome Juventus to Emilia-Romagna.
Bologna
Starting with the hosts, punching their spot in the final of this season’s Coppa Italia last week as they stormed their way to a 5-1 aggregate win against Empoli, Bologna have once again received a string of plaudits from across Italy’s elite. Remarkably looking to book another famous Champions League spot this month, Vincenzo Italiano’s side will be confident of collecting a heavyweight Serie A scalp here. Claiming a famous 1-0 victory against reigning Italian champions Inter Milan on April 20th, Bologna have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous 11 consecutive appearances across all competitions. Looking to leapfrog the Old Lady and find a route back into the Champions League spots, Sunday’s hosts have gained a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. In fact, Italiano’s camp are unbeaten in all of their last 11 showdowns at in Emilia-Romagna (nine wins, two draws).
Bologna Team News
Missing out against Udinese last week and dealing with a reported thigh issue, Bologna are once again expected to be without Swiss international Dan Ndoye. However, despite dealing with a recent calf injury, the Greyhounds are hopeful that Emil Holm will return to Italiano’s squad here.
Completing a permanent switch from Nottingham Forest last summer, Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park. Despite notching just a pair of Serie A strikes so far this season, former Toulouse striker Thijs Dallinga will lead Italiano’s charge in the final third.
Juventus
As for the visitors, making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Monza, Juventus are desperate to find some recent momentum. Although the Old Lady might have only appointed new boss Igor Tudor six weeks ago, they open this weekend’s fixtures holding just a one-point buffer from slipping out of the Champions League spots. Failing to notch consecutive victories across all competitions since the middle of February, Juventus have also gained a reputation for their extended issues outside of Turin. Last seen on their travels falling to a shock 1-0 defeat against Parma, have won just a pair of their 10 straight showdowns on the road so far this calendar year. Watching their Champions League adventure come to an end on February 19th following a 4-3 aggregate defeat against PSV, Tudor’s camp will be bracing themselves for another stern challenge here.
Juventus Team News
Shown a first-half red card against Monza last weekend, Turkish youngster Kenan Yildiz will miss out through suspension here. All still dealing with respective knee injuries, Juventus will be unable to call upon the trio of Arkadiusz Milk, Juan Cabal and Brazilian defender Bremer.
Notching six Serie A strikes since completing a January switch from PSG, French international Randal Kolo Muani will lead the line this weekend. Expected to complete an almost immediate exit from Turin this summer, Douglas Luis will have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Bologna vs Juventus Key Factors to Consider
- When Bologna and Juventus met for their reverse Serie A showdown on December 7th, Sunday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate in Turin.
- In fact, each of the last four meetings between Bologna and Juventus have finished in a draw.
- Bologna are unbeaten in all of their previous 11 consecutive home fixtures across all competitions (nine wins, two draws).
- Juventus have won just a pair of their 10 matchups outside of Turin so far this calendar year.
- The Old Lady have recorded just a single goal in over 350 minutes on the road.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can leapfrog the Old Lady and skyrocket their way into the Champions League places, Bologna will be smelling the chance to claim a heavyweight scalp here. Winning nine of their last 11 showdowns in Emilia-Romagna and not suffering a single defeat in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year, Bologna will meet a Juventus squad who have shown some glaring issues on the road. With each of the last four meetings between Sunday’s opponents finishing in a stalemate, we are backing a home double chance.
Verdict: Bologna double chance
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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