Prediction: Napoli vs Bologna

Verdict: Napoli to score in both halves

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to make an immediate return to winning ways in midweek, Napoli will welcome Bologna to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday night.

Napoli

Starting with the hosts, while Napoli would have been disappointed to have only collected a single point over the weekend, the mood in the Blues’ camp should be at a red-hot high. Playing out a 0-0 stalemate away at Roma, Luciano Spalletti’s squad have only continued to gain a host of plaudits from across Italy since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Managing to muster a staggering points tally of 25 and with their sights set on making a shock charge for the Serie A title this season, their new boss has been filled with praise for his side’s remarkable start. While Gli Azzurri might have shown some European issues so far this year, the one-time Inter Milan boss will be smelling the chance to make an immediate return to winning ways on Thursday night. Despite their minor blip at the Stadio Olimpico over the weekend, Napoli will be boosted by their domestic success on home soil. Including a 2-1 victory against Juventus on September 11th, the midweek hosts have won each of their first four Serie A contests at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Team News

Napoli have confirmed that they will be without the duo of Adam Ounas and left-back Kevin Malcuit due to injury issues in midweek.

Likewise, Thursday’s hosts are also sweating over the fitness of central defender Kostas Manolas.

Bologna

As for the visitors, while Bologna might have entered the international break with a stunning 3-0 win against Lazio on home soil, the Rossoblù have gained a reputation for their inconsistencies. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with an action-packed 4-2 defeat against AC Milan at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Siniša Mihajlović’s men have won just one of their last six outings, a run that stems back to the middle of September. With that run highlighted by a shock 4-2 defeat away at Empoli, Bologna will know that they face a stern test on their travels in midweek. Also suffering a 6-1 drumming at the San Siro against Inter Milan last month, it should also be noted that Thursday’s guests have collected just a pair of away points since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Coming off the back of that hammering against AC Milan last weekend, they should also be worried by their recent meetings against Napoli. Hit with a 3-1 defeat when the two sides last faced off back in March, they have lost six of their last seven matchups against Gli Azzurri.

Team News

Bologna will once again be without both Kingsley Michael and central defender Kevin Bonifazi when they travel to Naples on Thursday night.

Likewise, Adama Soumaoro and midfielder Roberto Soriano are both suspended in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in March, Napoli picked up a 3-1 win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
• Gli Azzurri have collected 25 points from their opening nine Serie A matchups so far this season.
• Likewise, the Blues have won all four of their first Serie A contests on home soil since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
• Bologna have managed to win just one of their previous six top-flight fixtures.
• Each of Bologna’s last three away fixtures have produced 15 goals.

Conclusion

While Napoli would have been disappointed to have dropped their first points of the season last weekend, the Blues should be smelling a golden chance on home soil here. Enjoying what has been a remarkable start to the 2021/22 campaign and already with 25 points on the board, Gli Azzurri will be looking to prove that was just a minor blip. Winning each of their first four Serie A contests at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Bologna could face a stern test on Thursday. With Napoli winning six of their last seven matchups against Napoli, including a 3-1 victory in Naples earlier in the year, we’re backing a similar flurry here.

Verdict: Napoli to score in both halves

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Unibet