Monza vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-09-21 13:00.
[p]Still without victory in Serie A this season (D3, L1), Monza’s latest result should still prove to be a substantial morale booster as they held reigning champions Inter Milan 1-1 at Stadio Brianteo. That result very nearly put an end to their winless start to this latest league campaign after taking the lead in the 81st minute, but instead the hosts conceded just seven minutes later which extended their run to 13 league matches without victory (D6, L7) – the current longest such streak in the Italian top-flight.[/p]
[p]Now into their third straight Serie A campaign, Monza manager Alessandro Nesta will have been tasked with delivering another steady mid-table finish this time around, and maybe the arrival of Bologna can inspire his side to finally end their woeful streak. That’s because the hosts have now kept three clean sheets in succession against this opposition (W1, D2), with that total serving as their joint-most against any opposition in Italy’s top division.  [/p]
[p]That streak is also Bologna’s current longest without scoring against any opponent in Serie A and having won just two of their last 12 matches in the league, their form also remains wayward of late (D8, L2). The distraction of making their long-awaited Champions League return in midweek will have been welcomed as such, and even though they couldn’t find a way past Shakhtar Donetsk, they at least delivered a respectable draw (0-0). [/p]
[p]The visitors’ struggles of late have been particularly obvious on their travels, as after winning four of their five away league games between late February and April (D1), they’ve since returned three points just once in five attempts in Serie A (D2, L2). A leaky backline has been the main cause for that, as Bologna have conceded 2+ goals during each of their last three away games.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Only one of Matteo Pessina’s prior 11 goalscoring appearances for Monza has ended in defeat (W8, D2), though he’s only faced Juventus more times than Bologna during his career without ever finding the net. Each of Riccardo Orsolini’s last three league goals have served as match openers including vs Udinese on matchday one, whilst he also struck the winner in this exact fixture during the 2022/23 season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Coming into the round, no side has picked up fewer yellow cards in Serie A this season than Bologna (3). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]