Fiorentina vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-11-11 14:00.
Stadio Artemio Franchi is set to host the 143rd Serie A (SA) Derby dell'Appennino with Fiorentina holding the overall bragging rights against Bologna (W56, D46, L40), despite being defeated in both of last season's editions 2-1. The hosts will hope to draw on this historical advantage to end their current three-game league losing streak without scoring a goal, which last happened to them in May 2019.
Vincenzo Italiano's men beat Čukarički in Serbia on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa Conference League, a result which marked their third straight game to see a 1-0 result. Despite the rigours of that continental trip, that should have lifted the mood around the club as they now look to record their first back-to-back competitive victories since June.
Thiago Motta's Bologna continue to impress and are sixth in the SA standings after collecting 18 points so far. After frustrating Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan, the Rossoblù defeated Lazio 1-0 at home last time out thanks to Lewis Ferguson’s winner straight after the restart, which saw the Emilia-Romagna outfit stretch their unbeaten run to ten league games (W4, D6) – the longest such active run in SA.
In fact, you would need to go back into the 1979/80 season to find the last time Bologna went without losing for such a long time in the top tier. They ended that campaign in seventh place, but may have loftier thoughts this term as they aim to qualify for a major European competition for the first time since their last venture in season 1999/00. Sealing a victory to end a run of five straight draws in SA away games would be a huge plus in that regard, placing them four points ahead of their hosts.
Players to watch: M'Bala Nzola converted a penalty at Čukarički to double his Fiorentina tally since joining in the summer, and the Angola international has previously netted twice against Bologna, albeit wearing the colours of Spezia. Visiting Ferguson has already contributed to five SA goals (G3, A2) this term and is just two more involvements away from equalling his 2022/23 total in the competition.
Hot stat: Bologna have scored in the opening 25 minutes in all of their three away SA matches to produce goals this campaign.