Bologna vs Empoli Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
After qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last season, Bologna have endured a very difficult summer with plenty of outgoings and they are now looking to kick on as they welcome Empoli this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 31st August, 2024 - UK – 5:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
BOLOGNA PREVIEW: TRUSTING ITALIANO
Last season, the now Juventus manager Thiago Motta led Bologna to fifth place in Serie A and UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in 50 years. They have, though, lost key men as well as their manager, such as Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee, with former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano now taking charge.
It has been a really tough test, though. They began their campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to an improving Udinese side on the opening weekend of the season before then going to Naples to face Antonio Conte’s Napoli side in chaos and they suffered a hammering by three goals to nil.
EMPOLI PREVIEW: FINDING THEIR FEET
Both Paolo Zanetti and Aurelio Andreazzoli were sacked mid-way through last season with Serie A’s so-called miracle worker, Davide Nicola, coming in to Florence and once again keeping a team up on the final day of the season. He has since departed, though, and been replaced by former Benevento and Lecce boss Roberto D’Aversa.
D’Aversa did look as though he may be taking Lecce down last season before his sacking but it has been an encouraging start to the season for Azzurri Empolesi. Beginning with a 4-0 defeat of Catanzaro in the Coppa Italia, they then shared a goalless draw with Monza before a famous win in the capital city by two goals to one against Roma.
BOLOGNA TEAM NEWS: RETURNING PLAYERS
With Vincenzo Italiano tweaking a 4-1-4-1 Thiago Motta style to more of a 4-2-3-1 system, Bologna have been able to welcome back a couple of players, including defender Jhon Lucumi.
The hosts do remain without a couple of key players, too, for this weekend as Oussama El Azzouzi remains sidelined alongside Scotland international Lewis Ferguson.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Erlic, Lykogiannis; Moro, Freuler; Orsolini, Aebischer, Ndoye; Castro
UNAVAILABLE: El Azzouzi (Injured), Ferguson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI TEAM NEWS: KEY ISSUES
In their run to survival last season under Davide Nicola, midfielder Szymon Zurkowski entered into an excellent run of form but he has missed the opening stages of this season.
Zurkowski is nearing a return and may make the squad this weekend but the visitors will remain without both Samuele Perisan and Tyronne Ebuehi, who remain sidelined.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Walukiewicz, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella; Solbakken, Fazzini; Colombo
UNAVAILABLE: Perisan (Injured), Ebuehi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zurkowski (Injured)
BOLOGNA VS EMPOLI PREDICTION
This is a really intriguing encounter this weekend. Bologna have had a difficult start, as was expected, and their squad seems some way off capable of competing at a good level in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. Empoli, on the other hand, have started really brightly and there will be a hope and belief they can go to Bologna and cause yet more concerns for Vincenzo Italiano and his side.
BOLOGNA VS EMPOLI TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – EMPOLI TO WIN OR DRAW
