Empoli vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Coppa Italia betting tips on match 2025-03-31 19:00.
[p]Amidst their dreadful league form that sees them at risk of dropping out of Serie A after a four-season stay, Empoli have a golden opportunity to win major silverware for the first time in their history. Their perilous league position means they may not be able to devote their full attention to this Coppa Italia semi-final against Bologna, but it’s difficult to know what to expect from Empoli anyway after a rotated side eliminated defending champions Juventus in the quarter-finals. [/p]
[p]Empoli have impressed by defeating three separate Serie A sides away from home in the last three rounds of this competition, but home fans could be forgiven for harbouring some scepticism after seeing their team fail to win eight consecutive competitive home games (D2, L6). Those fears will be heightened by the fact Empoli have won none of their last four H2Hs against Bologna (D2, L2), drawing both Serie A meetings this term 1-1.[/p]
[p]Bologna are very strong favourites on the basis of their vastly superior form since February’s quarter-final tie, during which they won away to fellow top-four Serie A side Atalanta (1-0). That, and an earlier 4-0 win at home to Monza in the Round of 16, account for their five unanswered goals in this competition, and their two most recent league outings – 5-0 at home to Lazio and 1-0 away to Venezia – bookend a five-match winning run in all competitions. [/p]
[p]The visitors have lost only one of their eight competitive away games this calendar year (W3, D4), further bolstering confidence that they can qualify for their first Coppa Italia final since lifting the trophy 51 years ago. A 1-1 Serie A draw away to Empoli during that time is a reminder that Bologna cannot take this opposition lightly, as is the fact they were dumped out away to top-flight opposition in each of the last two Coppa Italia editions. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Sebastiano Esposito hasn’t scored for Empoli since mid-January, but with cup goals against Fiorentina and Catanzaro, he could be key to their fortunes. Santiago Castro scored beyond the 75th minute in Bologna’s last two Coppa Italia games and should be fresh after missing the weekend through a Serie A suspension. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Empoli boss Roberto D’Aversa has never won a managerial H2H against Bologna (D6, L6).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]