Bologna vs Udinese prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-08-17 16:30.
[p]Bologna stunned Serie A last season to claim a top five finish for the first time since 1970/71 (fifth) and qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage equivalent for the first time in club history. As a direct consequence of that success, this summer has proven to be a nightmare with manager Thiago Motta being poached by Juventus and key players, including Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori, leaving for pastures new.[/p]
[p]A number of signings have been made in response, but even the most fervent Bologna fan might be wary of a sizeable drop in form in 2024/25, especially after their side won just two of their final eight league matches to conclude last term (D5, L1). A home match against Udinese could quell any fears of a slow start at least, as Bologna are unbeaten across their last six home Serie A H2Hs (W2, D4) since a 2-1 defeat back in 2017.[/p]
[p]After narrowly avoiding finishing in the relegation places in Italy’s top-flight by just two points last campaign, visiting Udinese will also be looking to make a positive start. Their summer has very much been headlined by the return of former star Alexis Sánchez, who arrives on a free transfer from champions Inter Milan, and he’ll be looking to rekindle the form which saw him record 41 goal contributions across 112 appearances during his first stint at Bluenergy Stadium.[/p]
[p]His first task will be to help his club to avoid losing a third consecutive opening Serie A matchday for the first time since 1961/62 and considering that Udinese won more points on their travels than on home soil last term (14 at home, 23 away), beginning this new campaign on the road could prove to be a blessing in disguise. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: After impressing during Euro 2024 with Switzerland (G1, A1), Dan Ndoye will be hoping to now dramatically improve on his tally of just one goal across 32 league appearances for Bologna last term. Martín Payero has experienced similar goalscoring issues, having only netted two goals all last season in Serie A, but both came during meetings with Bologna – where he scored once in each match! [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four of the last five H2Hs saw at least three total match goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]