Napoli vs Bologna Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Napoli vs Bologna on and what time does it start? Napoli vs Bologna will take place on Saturday 11th May, 2024 – 17:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Napoli vs Bologna? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Napoli vs Bologna on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Napoli vs Bologna
Where can I stream Napoli vs Bologna in the UK? If Napoli vs Bologna is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
NAPOLI
It has been an absolutely horrible defence of the Italian title by Napoli and they are simply trying to ease their way through to the end of the season with no more drama. Francesco Calzona will be leaving to manage Slovakia at UEFA EURO 2024 in the summer and he has been unable to improve upon the poor work already done by Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri.
The Neapolitans come into this one on the back of yet another underwhelming performance as they shared a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Udinese last weekend. That means last season’s Serie A winners have now managed just three victories in 13 matches since the interim appointment of the aforementioned Calzona.
BOLOGNA
Much like Calzona, there is an expectation Thiago Motta will be departing his club in the summer but in very different circumstances. The former Italian international midfielder is being heavily linked with replacing Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus after pushing Bologna from mid-table also-rans into the top four and probable UEFA Champions League qualification.
With the top five getting UEFA Champions League football in Italy this season, Bologna begin the 36th match day sitting four points clear of sixth place Roma and could confirm their spot as soon as this weekend. They most recently were held to a goalless draw by Torino, though, and have now drawn four of their last five matches.
THE TEAM NEWS
NAPOLI
Both Leander Dendoncker and Piotr Zielinski are unavailable with respective injuries, whilst Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giacomo Raspadori are also missing.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Ostigard, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano; Osimhen, Lindstrom
UNAVAILABLE: Dendoncker (Injured), Kvaratskhelia (Injured), Raspadori (Injured), Zielinski (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BOLOGNA
Thiago Motta and Bologna are dealing with a couple of injury concerns for this weekend’s trip to Naples as both Adama Soumaoro and Lewis Ferguson are unavailable.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Skorupski; Posch, Lucumi, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler; Ndoye, Fabbian, Aebischer, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee
UNAVAILABLE: Ferguson (Injured), Soumaoro (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
It is no longer controversial or outlandish to back against Napoli in pretty much any game they play. They head into the final three matches clinging onto a spot in the top eight and the European places in Serie A but rivals Fiorentina have a game-in-hand and Torino will also be eyeing them up. Bologna may fizzle out with the likelihood of Motta’s departure, as well as Joshua Zirkzee and Lewis Ferguson’s injury. However, they will be more than confident of avoiding defeat at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, especially considering they have suffered just five losses all season.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – BOLOGNA TO WIN OR DRAW
