Bologna vs Fiorentina prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-12-14 14:00.
[p]Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano will face former employers Fiorentina for the first time since his emotional exit in June, and the 47-year-old may feel embittered that his new club aren’t a bit closer to his fourth-placed opponents. Bologna gave up a two-goal lead away to Juventus last weekend to draw 2-2, the fifth time that they failed to convert one of their now ten opening goals into victory (W5, D5). [/p]
[p]The first three of those came in each of their opening three home games of the Serie A season. Whilst they made sure not to make the same mistake against bottom-half Venezia (3-0) and Lecce (1-0) more recently, and even kept Benfica scoreless in Portugal (0-0) during the week, an in-form Fiorentina aren’t as likely to afford Bologna the same luxury.[/p]
[p]That’s because the visitors are at one of the highest points in their entire history, equalling their club record of eight consecutive Serie A victories last week when overcoming Cagliari 1-0 at home. To underline just how clinical Raffaele Palladino’s side have been in that time, they opened the scoring in all eight wins, led at half-time in six, and kept five clean sheets! [/p]
[p]Only league leaders Atalanta boast more Serie A goals and points than Fiorentina since the start of October, whilst their three goals conceded in that period is unrivalled. And that form got even better on Thursday evening when they thrashed LASK 7-0, but with only one Serie A away trip to date against clubs starting this round ranked above them in the standings (L 3-2 v Atalanta), it should be fascinating to see whether everything continues to go their way here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Santiago Castro delivered one and assisted three of Bologna’s four goals in their last home game (4-0 v Monza in the Coppa Italia), and his side are unbeaten this season when he finds the net (W3, D2). Moise Kean struck in each of Fiorentina’s last two Serie A away games as part of his ten scoring appearances across all competitions this season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Eight of the last ten H2Hs were either drawn or decided by a one-goal margin. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]