Empoli vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-03-14 19:45.
[p]Empoli lost 1-0 to AC Milan last weekend, which was their second consecutive defeat by that same scoreline. That pair of losses saw manager Davide Nicola’s unbeaten start at the club (W3, D3) come to a halt, although they are still a point above the Serie A relegation zone coming into the round. With another top-four club in Bologna up next, the hosts run the risk of losing three games in a row for the first time since starting the season with six consecutive defeats.[/p]
[p]Attacking woes continue to plague the Azzurri who have collected a league-high 15 scoring blanks this season, with four of those coming in their last six games at Stadio Carlo Castellani (W1, D2, L3). Yet, with only two goals conceded and five points picked from their last four home league games, Empoli have proven they can compete when spurred on by the locals.[/p]
[p]Fourth-placed Bologna saw their six-game winning streak come to an end with a 1-0 loss to leaders Inter Milan. That could be just a minor setback, as a three-point lead to the nearest challengers, Roma, keeps Thiago Motta’s men in charge of their own top-four destiny. Primed to get back to winning ways, the Rossoblù also have the extra incentive of posting a first-ever league H2H double after winning the reverse fixture 3-0.[/p]
[p]Boosting those hopes is their recent away form, with consecutive 2-1 victories secured despite conceding first in each. Nonetheless, road trips have been somewhat of a chink in their armour overall, as the visitors have drawn seven of their 13 away league games this season (W3, L3). Four of those stalemates saw them drop points despite taking the lead, so a good start might not necessarily guarantee that Bologna can go on to secure what would be a first-ever away top-flight win against their hosts (D4, L5).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Szymon Żurkowski has scored five of his last six league goals at home, simultaneously netting Empoli’s match opener in three of those matches. In contrast, Lewis Ferguson saw each of his last four league goals prove decisive match-winners for Bologna.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Both Empoli and Bologna have seen exactly one first-half goal in four of their last five league games.[/p]