Prediction: Bologna vs Genoa

Verdict: Bologna win

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to make an immediate return to winning ways on Friday night, Bologna will welcome Genoa to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Bologna

Starting with the hosts, while Bologna have continued to gain a string of plaudits among Italy’s elite this season, the Greyhounds certainly signed off 2023 with a nightmare display. Eventually slumping to a shock 3-0 drumming at the hands of Udinese, Thiago Motta’s men are seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, extending on their Coppa Italia adventure last month as they secured a famous 2-1 victory away at Serie A title contenders Inter Milan, the one-time Genoa boss will be smelling the chance to get one over on his former employers this weekend. Losing just one of their previous seven showdowns against top-flight opposition, Bologna will be excited to make a return to home soil on Friday night. Last seen at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara picking up an eye-catching 1-0 win against Atalanta, Motta’s men have remarkably won all of their last seven straight showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance this season, Bologna will once again be without former Lille defender Adama Soumaoro. However, the Greyhounds are hopeful that 23-year-old Dan Ndoye could play some part on Friday night.

Continuing to shine since this season and already notching seven Serie A strikes, ex-Bayern Munich starlet Joshua Zirkzee will spearhead Bologna’s charge here. Also attracting some real January interest, Scotland international Lewis Ferguson will join Zirkzee in the final third.

Genoa

As for the visitors, while Genoa might have enjoyed a brief flurry prior to the festive break, the Griffins have continued to show some extended inconsistencies this season. Although Alberto Gilardino’s men might have clinched a crucial 2-1 win away at Sassuolo last month, that is the only domestic victory that the Liguria-based outfit have recorded from their previous seven appearances. Almost finding themselves sat in top-flight limbo, the former Siena boss will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues on the road. Losing five of their last six showdowns away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris – a run that stems all the way back to a 2-2 stalemate against Udinese back on October 1st. Likewise, slumping to a 1-0 loss when they last met Bologna on Serie A duties back in May, Gilardino’s inconsistent squad should be bracing themselves for a stern examination this weekend.

Team News

Appearing to be inching closer towards a move to Premier League heavyweights Tottenham, it remains to be seen if defensive talisman Radu Dragusin will make a final appearance for Genoa here. However, the Griffins have reported a clean bill of health on Friday night.

Already notching seven Serie A strikes this season and gaining a string of plaudits, Iceland international Albert Gudmundsson will certainly have a leading role to play here. Ex-Atalana ace Ruslan Malinovsky could be handed a full recall this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Bologna and Genoa last met on Serie A duties back on May 21st, the Greyhounds picked up a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
• Bologna have remarkably won all of their previous seven straight Serie A appearances on home soil.
• Genoa have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven Serie A showdowns.
• Likewise, Friday’s guests have also lost four of their last five top-flight appearances on the road.
• Genoa have scored just a single goal in over 300 minutes of action away from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Conclusion

While Bologna might have eventually fallen to a disappointing 3-0 loss away at Udinese last time out, the Greyhounds will be relishing a return to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on Friday night. Smelling a golden chance to claim an immediate response here, Motta’s men have won all of their previous seven straight Serie A showdowns in front of their own supporters. Likewise, landing a 1-0 win when they last met Genoa on top-flight duties back on May 21st, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Bologna win

Best Odds: 12/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet