Verdict: Juventus win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
Looking to bounce back from their Coppa Italia heartbreak in midweek, Juventus will make the trip to an empty Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Monday night.
Bologna
Starting with the hosts, last seen back in February when hit with a 2-0 defeat against title-chasers Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, Bologna appeared to have come crashing back down to earth after an eye-catching run when opening 2020. Collecting just a single Serie A point over their previous three appearances, Siniša Mihajlović’s men saw their surprise European ambitions take what could have been a crucial blow. Still to face off against the likes of Inter Milan, Atalanta and Napoli after hosting the reigning champions on Monday night, the former Sporting Lisbon boss will be calling on his side to make some much-needed alterations on home soil. Including a 3-0 drumming against Genoa that most around the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara branded a season-worst display, the Greyhounds have managed to win just a pair of their last nine Serie A home fixtures. If Bologna are to land back-to-back top-half finishes for the first time since 2002, then Mihajlović will also be hopeful of his side finding some resolve at the back. With no side above 14th holding a worse-defensive return, Monday’s hosts have managed to land just a single Serie A clean sheet this season.
Team News
Bologna will be without the trio of Mattia Bani, Federico Santander and Jerdy Schouten on Monday night with all three players serving a suspension.
Even more worrying for Head Coach Siniša Mihajlović, his side will also be without Andreas Skov Olsen who is still dealing with an injury issue.
Juventus
As for the visitors, watching Napoli lift the Coppa Italia in midweek and heavily outplayed for large spells, Juventus are a side who have shown some cause for concern either side of the break. Also marking their return to action with a sluggish 0-0 draw against AC Milan while once again on Cup duties last week, Maurizio Sarri’s men have now managed to win just one of their previous four matches across all competitions. Also briefly ending their campaign back in March with a shock 1-0 defeat away at French outfit Lyon in the Champions League, it appears that the former Chelsea boss finds his position at the Allianz coming under more scrutiny. While the Old Lady might hold a stellar record against Bologna after winning each of their previous eight meetings against Monday’s hosts, Sarri’s side have continued to struggle with their form on the road. Along with suffering Coppa Italia heartbreak on Wednesday night, Juventus have remarkably lost four of their last six contests outside of Turin. Even more worrying, they have failed to record an away goal in back-to-back defeats for the first time since May 2019.
Team News
After missing their Coppa Italia final in midweek, Juventus look set to once again be without Giorgio Chiellini and Gonzalo Higuain.
They will be joined on the sidelines by Alex Sandro and Sami Khedira who will not make the trip to Bologna on Monday night.
Key Factors to Consider
- Picking up a 2-1 win when the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Juventus have won each of their last eight meetings against Bologna.
- However, the Old Lady have lost four of their last six matchups away from the Allianz.
- Monday’s hosts have won just two of their last 10 matchups on home soil.
- 11 of Bologna’s last 12 home fixtures have ended with both teams finding the net.
- Juventus have recorded a clean sheet in each of their last three trips to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Conclusion
While Juventus might see Monday night as a real opportunity to mark their Serie A return with a much-needed boost, the Old Lady have shown some issues either side of the break. Despite having the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, Maurizio Sarri’s men have now drawn a blank in back-to-back defeats for the first time since May 2019. Thankfully for the defending champions, Bologna wasn’t fairing much better back in March. With a growing reputation for their issues on home soil and that run highlighted by a 3-0 defeat against Genoa, we’re backing an away victory for a downbeat Juventus on Monday.
Verdict: Juventus win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
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