Genoa vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-10-18 13:00.
[p]The international break came at the perfect time for Genoa, who’ve had the chance to regroup after a dreadful start to the season. Alberto Gilardino’s men enter the round in the relegation zone after winning just one of their opening seven Serie A fixtures (D2, L4), most recently being thumped 5-1 by Atalanta. This clash with Bologna presents the chance to kick-start their campaign, and the hosts can take heart from losing just one of the last ten H2Hs (W5, D4).[/p]
[p]Gilardino has a foot in both camps having played for both clubs in his playing days, but there’ll be no split loyalties here as he looks to guide his side to a first win in five home league games (D2, L2). Ironically, their last Serie A home win came against Bologna (2-0) at the end of last season, and with that part of a run of just one of the last ten H2Hs on this ground seeing both teams on the scoresheet, a goal-fest certainly appears unlikely.[/p]
[p]Adapting to life without departed manager Thiago Motta – and the rigours of the UEFA Champions League – has proven a tough ask for Bologna. They’ve won just one of their nine matches across all competitions so far this term (D6, L2), and consequently spent the international break a lowly 13th in the Serie A table.[/p]
[p]New boss Vincenzo Italiano will therefore be keen to endear himself to the fanbase, and hitting the road may not be the worst thing given that his only Bologna win so far came away at lowly Monza. In fact, the Rossoblù have lost just two of their last 12 away league matches (W6, D4), but with that aforementioned defeat on this ground being one of them, they’d be wise to travel with caution.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Seven of Vitinha’s last eight club goals came in home matches, including Genoa’s second in the win over Bologna in May. The visitors have struggled for goals this season, but Santiago Castro has shown he has the ability to step up, netting three times – all after the break – in games in which Bologna avoided defeat.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Of the 15 goals Genoa have conceded in Serie A this season, a league-high 12 arrived after half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]