Bologna vs Empoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-09-30 10:30.
Goals have been at a premium for mid-table Bologna so far this season, with each of their last three Serie A (SA) matches ending goalless. That’s contributed to them having the lowest match goal average in the division ahead of this round (1.17), however manager Thiago Motta believes his side’s attacking endeavours have not been helped by poor refereeing, claiming after Thursday’s 0-0 draw at Monza that “four separate refereeing incidents in six games that have decided their results”.
Motta was left particularly annoyed by the two late yellow cards shown in quick succession to attacker Alexis Saelemaekers, making him unavailable for this contest. Yet despite these frustrations in the Bologna camp, it shouldn’t be overlooked that they are at least undefeated in five SA matches (W1, D4) and have the chance to go six straight without defeat for the first time since May 2022.
Opponents Empoli have already made unwanted SA history this season by becoming the first side to lose their opening five games without scoring a single goal, but there are signs of improvement in Aurelio Andreazzoli’s men. They suffered a respectable 1-0 defeat at home to Inter last weekend, and then finally got off the mark with a slender success by the same scoreline against Salernitana in midweek, earning them a first clean sheet since April!
While this is still Empoli’s worst six-game SA start for 20 years, Bologna are an opponent who has the potential to add to the recent growing feel-good factor at the club. That’s because the visitors have had their hosts' number for several years, losing only one of the last 11 meetings between the two sides (W7, D3) – and conceding just one goal across the last three clashes.
Players to watch: Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee (G1) will be hoping his own attacking fortunes change soon given only two SA players had hit more shots on target (seven) following the end of round six. Tommaso Baldanzi’s winner against Salernitana was his first club goal since January, but interestingly he did score in successive international matches for Italy Under-20s in June.
Hot streak: There have been seven combined goals scored on or beyond the 75th minute across the last six H2Hs.