Sampdoria vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-02-17 14:00.
A dogged display helped Sampdoria gain a precious point against Inter Milan last matchday although it extended their winless streak to seven (D2, L5). They still remain eight points from Serie A (SA) safety but with manager Dejan Stanković recently stating that he “believes in miracles”, backing his team to extend their 11-campaign top-flight stay, ending their current eight-game winless league record against Bologna (D1, L7) would go some way to backing up his claims.
The hosts likely need to up their goal rate in order to fix their current predicament (GF10), though getting their home record on track, having picked up a joint-league low three points, appears equally important. With seven straight failures to score in home league games, Sampdoria know the improvements must arrive soon, but at least a record of scoring in 12 straight league home H2Hs shows that this could be the fixture to turn things around.
Mid-table Bologna are unlikely to make it easy however, as coach Thiago Motta called on his side “to do better” after their 1-0 loss against Monza last weekend. The visitors are still a comfortable 12 points above the relegation zone and victory here could even see them move up to seventh spot with Motta impressing in his role, although he’s looking to postpone the talk around his contract renewal and possible European football for the first time since 2002.
The Red and Blues will want to get back on track immediately to keep their dreams alive and likely won’t mind being on the road having won their last two league trips. As they chase a third consecutive away SA win for the first time since January 2016, a run of three straight SA H2H victories at this venue could represent a massive boost.
Players to watch: Sampdoria’s Manolo Gabbiadini has scored a personal joint-high six SA goals against Bologna. Looking to steal his thunder could be Riccardo Orsolini, who has been directly involved in Bologna’s last four SA goals (G2, A2).
Hot stat: Bologna have won their last two away league games and their last three away SA H2Hs all by a 2-1 scoreline.