Bologna vs Empoli prediction: ITALY: Coppa Italia betting tips on match 2025-04-23 19:00.
[p]Just 90 minutes separate Serie A high-flyers Bologna from what will be their first appearance in the final of the Coppa Italia since winning the competition in 1973/74, after winning at a canter against Empoli in the first leg of this semi-final. Since that 3-0 success, Bologna have posted mixed results against Italy’s top-three sides (W1, D1, L1), including a confidence-boosting 1-0 win over fellow semi-finalists Inter Milan at the weekend. [/p]
[p]Yet to concede in the cup this term, Bologna will hope to put this tie to bed early on after also leading at the interval in two of their three victories on the way here. Still unbeaten at home in all competitive action since the turn of the year (W8, D2), boss Vincenzo Italiano will hope to keep that run going against old foes Empoli, who he has played out more draws against than any other side in his managerial career (W3, D6, L2). [/p]
[p]Two of those draws came in the league meetings between these sides this season as Empoli continued their intense battle for top-flight survival. Becoming the first side to overcome a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Coppa Italia semi-final since Inter in 2016, who still went out on penalties, may seem unrealistic for Empoli, whose only victory since early December came on penalties in the quarter-final (D6, L13). [/p]
[p]Visiting manager Roberto D’Aversa has faced no side more often without ever winning than his 13 unsuccessful meetings against Bologna (D6, L7). Adding to the draw column would perhaps not be so surprising after Empoli played out 1-1 draws after 90 minutes in three of their last five away games, including against Juventus in the previous round. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Thijs Dallinga doubled his domestic scoring tally for the season as he struck either side of half-time in the first leg – seven of his last ten club scoring games saw him level the scoreline. Seven of Sebastiano Esposito’s last eight scoring appearances came away from home, but the Empoli striker failed to win any of his last four games when scoring (D1, L3). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Bologna have scored in both halves of 15 of their 36 domestic games (42%) this season, a high amongst Serie A sides. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]