Verdict: Bologna win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Friday night, Bologna will welcome Torino to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Bologna
Starting with the hosts, while some in Bologna’s camp might have been disappointed last week as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Lecce, Bologna have impressed on either side of Italy’s festive break. Springing a heavyweight Coppa Italia upset on February 4th as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Atalanta, Vincenzo Italiano’s men are unbeaten in each of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Sat within touching distance of finding a route back into the European spots, Bologna will also be excited to make a return to home soil here. Last seen at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara collecting a 2-0 win against Como, Italiano’s side have continued to shine in Emilia-Romagna. In fact, Friday’s hosts have won each of their previous three consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 7-2.
Bologna Team News
Dealing with yet another injury blow last month, Bologna are once again expected to be without Scotland international Lewis Ferguson. Likewise, one-time Atalanta striker Riccardo Orsolini remains on the sidelines with a thigh issue.
Forced to settle for a spot on the bench away at Lecce last weekend, Swedish midfielder Emil Holm could be handed a full recall here. Arriving from Nottingham Forest on a permanent basis last summer, 32-year-old Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park.
Torino
As for the visitors, almost finding themselves sat in Serie A limbo, Torino have quickly gained a reputation as Italy’s ultimate stalemate specialists. Suffering a second-half collapse at home against Genoa last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 draw, the Bulls have remarkably collected a single point in six of their previous seven Serie A appearances. Despite coming flying out of the traps when opening up the 2024/25 campaign, Paolo Vanoli’s men have continued to show some glaring inconsistencies. In fact, Torino have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 15 showdowns against top-flight opposition – a run that stems all the way back to October 25th. Failing to collect back-to-back victories since the end of August, Torino should have another tricky test on their hands here.
Torino Team News
Limping off with a first-half knock against Genoa last weekend, Torino are expected to be without Cameroon international Adrien Tameze here. Suffering a long-term knee injury at the start of October, former Atalanta marksman Duvan Zapata will not feature over the remainder of the season.
Recording seven Serie A strikes since arriving from Southampton last summer, Scotland international Che Adams will lead the line. Returning to Vanoli’s squad last weekend, RB Leipzig loanee Eljif Elmas could make a first appearance since the start of October.
Bologna vs Torino Key Factors to Consider
- When Bologna and Torino met for their reverse Serie A showdown on December 21st, Friday’s hosts collected a 2-0 win in Turin.
- Bologna have collected seven points from their previous three Serie A meetings against the Bulls.
- Six of Torino’s last seven Serie A appearances have finished in a stalemate.
- Torino have collected just a pair of wins from any of their previous 15 Serie A appearances.
- Bologna have won each of their last three consecutive appearances at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara by an aggregate score of 7-3.
Conclusion
Excited to make a return to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Friday night, Bologna will be looking to extend on their European charge. Unbeaten in each of their previous nine appearances across all competitions, Italiano’s side could be smelling a potential opportunity here. Winning each of their previous three home fixtures by an aggregate score of 7-3, they will meet a Torino squad that have continued to show some real issues. With Bologna landing a 2-0 win when they met for their reverse Serie A battle on December 21st, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Bologna win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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