Salernitana vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-12-09 17:00.
Salernitana would have entered their last match on a rare high, as they had just put an end to a 13-game winless streak (D5, L8) in Serie A (SA) with a 2-1 win over Lazio, their longest run without a top-flight victory in their history. That euphoria lasted a little over a week unfortunately, as Filippo Inzaghi’s men were brought crashing back down to earth by a 3-0 hammering against Fiorentina.
That match took their tally of league goals conceded this calendar year to a mammoth 66, with only La Liga’s AlmerĂa letting in more among sides in the traditional top-five European leagues. It’s no surprise then that the Garnets find themselves rooted to the the foot of the SA table with a lowly eight points, but they’ll be hoping the Stadio Arechi faithful can play their part in a potential revival, seeing as they’ve suffered only three defeats in their last 16 home matches (W7, D6).
Opponents Bologna will be looking to postpone any potential revival and take advantage of their vulnerable hosts, while simultaneously prolonging their impressive start to the SA season that’s seen them lose only two of their opening 14 games (W5, D7). Those 22 points won are Bologna’s most at this stage of a top-flight season since 2002/03, putting them firmly in the conversation for the European spots.
Despite their memorable start, manager Thiago Motta and his troops will feel as if they should be two points better off, as they were forced to share the spoils last time out against Lecce after conceding a 100th minute penalty to draw 1-1. That was only the 11th league goal the Red and Blues have conceded this season, a record bettered only by SA's top-two sides.
Players to watch: Boulaye Dia scored in both games against Bologna last season, with both strikes contributing to 14 of his 20 goals for Salernitana coming after half-time. Hoping to outperform him will be Bologna’s top-scorer this season Joshua Zirkzee, who’s scored seven of his last ten goals away from home.
Hot streak: The away side on the day hasn’t won any of the previous ten H2Hs.