Prediction: Juventus vs Bologna

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Hoping to extend on their bright start to the new Serie A season, Juventus will welcome Bologna to Turin on Sunday evening.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, while Juventus might have dealt with some public financial issues last season, the Italian giants have opened the 2023/24 campaign with an eye-catching flurry. Despite signing off their summer preparations with a 0-0 friendly stalemate against top-four contenders Atalanta on August 12th, Massimiliano Allegri’s laid down a real marker last weekend. Eventually breezing their way to a 3-0 romp away at Udinese, the Old Lady will be looking for a repeat performance on Sunday evening. Appearing to have found some much-needed defensive resolve over the past fortnight, Juventus will be smelling a golden chance when they return to Turin here. Simply desperate to secure a lucrative Champions League return this time around, Allegri’s side will also be excited by a rugged extended record against Sunday’s guests. Including a 3-0 romp the last time that Bologna came to town 10 months ago, Juventus have not lost a single meeting against the Greyhounds since February 2011.

Team News

All missing out against Udinese last weekend, Juventus will once again be unable to call upon the trio of Mattia De Sciglio, Kaio Jorge and Moise Kean on Sunday evening. However, making his return to Allegri’s squad last week, former Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba could make a first appearance of the season.

Finding the net against Udinese and officially opening his account this season, 23-year-old Dusan Vlahovic will spearhead Juve’s charge here.

Bologna

As for the visitors, although Bologna might have gained plenty of praise from across Italy last season as they claimed a top-half finish, the Greyhounds opened up the 2023/24 campaign with a downbeat performance on home soil. Eventually slumping to a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of former champions AC Milan, Thiago Motta’s men will know that they face another stern challenge this weekend. Largely limping their way over the finish line back in May as they managed to muster just a pair of wins from any of their final nine top-flight appearances, Bologna should also be worried by a nightmare record away at Sunday’s hosts. Slumping to a 3-0 drumming when they travelled to Turin 10 months ago, have remarkably collected just a single point away at Juve since February 2011.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Bologna will travel to Turin this weekend without defender Adama Soumaoro. Likewise, Motta will also be unable to call upon one-time Atalanta striker Must Barrow on Sunday evening.

Despite notching just a pair of Serie A strikes last season 22-year-old Joshua Zirkzee should lead Motta’s attack here. The ex-Bayern Munich starlet will be joined in the final third by former Aberdeen star Lewis Ferguson.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met in Turin 10 months ago, Juventus picked up a routine 3-0 victory.
• Likewise, the Old Lady have not lost a single meeting against Bologna since February 2011.
• Including their 2-0 loss against AC Milan last weekend, Bologna have won just one of their last 10 Serie A matchups continuing on from last season.
• Dusan Vlahovic has scored in two of his previous three top-flight meetings against Sunday’s guests.
• Each of the last eight straight meetings between Juventus and Bologna have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

Opening the new season with a stellar display as they landed a 3-0 romp away at Udinese, Juventus will be desperate to produce a repeat performance here. With their sights firmly set on securing a Champions League return this season, Sunday’s hosts should be smelling a real chance here. Watching Bologna open proceedings with a 2-0 loss at home against AC Milan, the Greyhounds should be worried by a nightmare record in Turin. Suffering a 3-0 loss when they last travelled to the former Serie A champions 10 months ago, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: Dachbet