Bologna vs Empoli Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 Coppa Italia | Semi-Final
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This Coppa Italia semi-final tie is already all but over as Bologna look to complete what would be an extremely impressive season and Empoli continue to battle against the drop in Serie A.
Kick-off date/time: Thursday 24th April, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – Paramount+
Bologna Preview: Brilliant Bologna
At the weekend, Bologna continued their extremely impressive campaign as they sit tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots in Serie A by defeating defending champions and league leaders Internazionale by a goal to nil at the Renato Dall’Ara.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side snatched all three points in that game thanks to a winning goal scored by Riccardo Orsolini deep into second-half stoppage-time. They have suffered just two defeats in 21 matches across all competitions in the calendar year of 2025.
Empoli Preview: Empoli’s collapse
At the start of this season, following the appointment of former Benevento coach Roberto D’Aversa, Empoli began the campaign relatively well but have since collapsed as they currently sit tucked inside the bottom three and the relegation places.
The visitors have persisted with and stuck by D’Aversa despite their poor form that continued at the weekend with a frustrating 2-2 draw against Venezia at Stadio Carlo Castellani in which they snatched an 87th minute equaliser via former Chelsea midfielder Tino Anjorin.
Bologna Team News: A few doubts
Bologna are dealing with a few doubts for this one ahead of the visit of Empoli as Poland international goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remains potentially unavailable alongside Scotland international midfielder Lewis Ferguson.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ravaglia; Holm, Beukema, Jhon Lucumi, Juan Miranda; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Dallinga
Unavailable:
Questionable: Skorupski (Injured), Casale (Injured), Calabria (Injured), Ferguson (Injured)
Empoli Team News: Several issues
Liberato Cacace is suspended in Serie A but the New Zealand international is available for this Coppa Italia semi-final. They do still have several key injury issues such as Youssef Maleh, Szymon Zurkowski, Christian Kouame and Pietro Pellegri.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Cacace; Colombo, Fazzini; Esposito
Unavailable: Sazonov (Injured), Maleh (Injured), Haas (Injured), Zurkowski (Injured), Kouame (Injured), Pellegri (Injured)
Questionable: Ismajli (Injured)
Bologna vs Empoli Prediction
It would perhaps be far too risky for a team that hasn’t won a major trophy in over 60 years to take it easy in the semi-final of a cup match but Bologna are surely home and hosed here after a magnificent few months that has seen them surpass the excellent achievements of Thiago Motta and his Bologna side last season. Empoli are more likely to take their eye off the ball even further as they turn their attention to survival in Italy’s top-flight so Bologna, especially with home advantage, to complete a comprehensive aggregate victory is the way to go for this one in Emilio-Romagna.
Bologna vs Empoli Tip: Bologna to win