Napoli vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-05-10 16:00.
[p]With three rounds left and not many places left to be decided for European qualification, Napoli are hanging on dearly to their top-eight place in Serie A, which would see them potentially qualify for the UEFA Conference League. A single win in eight league games (D5, L2) hasn’t helped ease the tension as the Partenopei have lost momentum, with their last two matches seeing them draw because of goals conceded after the 85th minute.[/p]
[p]The hosts here have also conceded in 14 straight league games, only doing so in more consecutive top-flight matches between August 1997 and January 1998 (17), and while Napoli are winless in four home encounters (D3, L1), a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture against Bologna could be something to gain optimism from defensively.[/p]
[p]With the prospect of consecutive H2H stalemates since April 1978 looming large, Bologna will hope to find the net, something that they have failed to do in three of the last five games (W1, D4). However, they are still only two points behind third-placed Juventus and four points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta, and are in an extremely strong position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, having picked up 31 points from 14 matches since the start of February (W9, D4, L1).[/p]
[p]The high-flying RossoblĂą have been hugely impressive recently on their travels as well, winning on four of their last six away outings (D2) and keeping three clean sheets in the process. That defensive resolve may be sternly tested on this trip though, as Bologna have lost eight of their last nine H2Hs at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (W1), conceding 28 goals along the way.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Matteo Politano’s only contribution in the reverse fixture was getting booked after coming on as a substitute, but he has 14 league goal involvements this season (G8, A6), contributing to eight wins and four draws. That record could be tested by Bologna’s away-day specialist Joshua Zirkzee, whose last six goals have all come on the road, keeping them unbeaten during those games (W4, D1).[/p]
[p]Hot stat: A league-low one of Napoli’s 12 opening goals in 2023/24 have been scored in the first 15 minutes.[/p]