Prediction: Juventus vs Bologna – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Luckster

Seeking a Serie A boost this weekend, Juventus will welcome Bologna to Turin on Saturday evening.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, suffering last-gasp heartbreak when opening December as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate against Leece, Juventus are desperately seeking some recent stability. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat outside the Champions League spots, Thiago Motta’s men have already watched their title ambitions take a major blow. Now collecting a single point in four of their previous five appearances across all competitions, the Old Lady will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. In fact, the Italian heavyweights have remarkably won just a pair of their previous nine consecutive outings. Likewise, failing to collect back-to-back victories across any format since the start of October, Juventus face what is certainly a must-win showdown when they return to Turin on Saturday evening.

Juventus Team News

Dealing with what has quickly become a stacked injury list in Turin, Juventus will once again be without the likes of Nicolas Gonzalez, Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie and former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Costa. Likewise, still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Brazilian star Bremer remains on the sidelines.

While USA international Timothy Weah might have notched just a single domestic strike since the end of October, the 24-year-old will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line. Veteran goalkeeper Mattia Perin should keep his spot between the sticks on Saturday evening.

Bologna

As for the visitors, while Bologna might have shown their own extended inconstancies this season, the Greyhounds have claimed a real boost over the past week. Extending on their Coppa Italia adventure on Tuesday night as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp against Monza, Vincenzo Italiano’s men will be desperately seeking a repeat performance on Saturday evening. Last seen in Serie A action collecting a 3-0 victory at home against Venezia, Bologna should also be excited by a rugged record against the Old Lady. Playing out a remarkable 3-3 stalemate when they last met Juventus back on May 20th, they have lost just one of their previous five showdowns against Saturday’s hosts. Despite being pencilled in as a landslide underdog this weekend, Bologna will be confident of asking some real questions.

Bologna Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Bologna will once again be without the trio of Michel Aebischer, Nicolo Cambiaghi and Morocco international Oussame El Azzouzi here. However, after serving a one-match suspension against Venezia last week, AC Milan loanee Tommaso Pobega will return to Italiano’s squad.

Recording a Serie A brace last weekend, Switzerland international Dan Ndoye should be handed a full recall after being handed a Coppa Italia rest. Making his move from Nottingham Forest a permanent one over the summer, Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park.

Juventus vs Bologna Key Factors to Consider

• When Juventus and Bologna last met back on May 20th, Saturday’s opponents played out a sensational 3-3 stalemate.
• Bologna have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous five meetings against the Old Lady.
• Juventus have won just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
• Bologna have won their back-to-back domestic appearances over the past week by an aggregate score of 7-0.
• Each of the last 1- meetings between Juventus and Bologna have finished with over 1.5 goals.

Conclusion

With Juventus and Bologna playing out a frantic 3-3 stalemate when they last met back in May, neutrals will be hoping for a repeat affair this weekend. With the Old Lady winning just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all fronts, Saturday’s hosts will meet a Bologna side that do appear to have turned a corner over the past week. It should be noted, with each of the last 10 meetings between Juventus and Bologna finishing with over 1.5 goals, a similar outcome can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmaker: Luckster