Bologna vs Juventus
In recent seasons, Bologna have been one of the true Serie A success stories as far as I’m concerned.
A fifth place finish two seasons ago was a fine achievement, finishing above the likes of Roma, Lazio and Napoli.
Last season they may have slipped to ninth but, given they sold some of their leading players, including Premier League bound duo Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) and Joshua Zirkzee (Man Utd), that was expected.
What wasn’t necessarily expected was that they went onto win the Coppa Italia, seeing off Milan in the final after dominating Empoli at the last four stage.
Perhaps it was no surprise they had to sell some of their star performers again this summer, including the man whose goal clinched cup success, Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest).
Yet they haven’t let that stop them delivering Serie A 2025 highlights and they head into this weekend clash sitting in a fine fifth place again and ahead of their illustrious visitors this Sunday evening.
The only question now is can they defeat Juventus for the first time in almost a decade and a half?
Talking Points
You have to go back February 2011 to their most recent victory, that in Turin when current Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio bagged a brace in a 2-0 success.
Indeed, you have to go back to the last millennium to the last time Bologna beat Juve on home soil – a 3-0 home success sealed in the first 28 minutes through goals from Michele Paramatti, Giuseppe Signori and Davide Fontolan.
Overall, the Rossoblu have won just one of their last 45 top flight meetings.
They come into this contest in good form though.
Thursday night’s comeback win in Spain, against Celta Vigo in the Europa League when Federico Bernardeschi – a constant threat on the right flank – scored twice, ensured they are right in the qualifying mix for the last 16 of the tournament.
It also continued their run of just one defeat in the last 16 matches, which included a fine 2-0 home success over Italian champions Napoli last month.
The consistency they have showed under Vincenzo Italiano, who celebrated his birthday this week, has made them a tough nut to crack.
His task has not been helped by a series of injuries, including Remo Freuler, Martin Vitik, Nicolo Casale and first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.
Lewis Ferguson, Jens Odgaard and top scorer Riccardo Orsolini are all poised to return though, after being restricted to cameo roles in Spain.
Juventus, who replaced Igor Tudor in October and put Napoli title-winning boss Luciano Spalletti in the hot seat, were in European action themselves in midweek, a routine Champions League win over the minnows of Pafos.
With Dusan Vlahovic ruled out for the next few weeks, the former Italian boss – who could only guide them to the last 16 of Euro 2024 – will likely chose between Lois Openda or Jonathan David to lead the attack.
In addition to their main marksman, Spalletti is also missing Federico Gatti, whose fellow centre-backs Daniele Rugani and Gleison Bremer have just returned from injury.
Bologna will be out to end a long-time hoodoo against Juve who should be fresher following their respective midweek exertions.
History
Juve are unbeaten in their last 26 Serie A matches against Bologna – winning on 17 occasions – although the last five meetings have ended all square.
Last season, this game finished one apiece as Remo Freuler’s second half strike cancelled out the opener from Khephren Thuram.
It was also level pegging in the earlier meeting in Turin last December when 10-man Juventus came from behind to claim a 2-2 draw.
Dan Ndoye and Tommaso Pobega had put Bologna in the ascendancy, an advantage heightened by the 51st minute sending off of Thiago Motta for the home side.
Yet Teun Koopmeiners reduced the arrears before Samuel Mbangula levelled for the ‘old lady’ in stoppage time.
Overall, Juventus have won 85 of their 166 clashes in all competitions with 56 draws and 25 Bologna victories.
Betting Tip
Given only two points and two places separate the sides, there’s no surprise the SBOTOP Serie A 2025 betting odds are just as close.
Juve have the edge with 1X2 @ 2.47 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.21.
For Bologna, the odds include 1X2 @ 2.73 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.42.
Another 1-1 draw will pay out @ 5.70 with Correct Score, while goal options vary from under 2.00 @ 2.21, over 2.50 @ 2.33, total goal 0-1 2.56, 2-3 @ 1.98 and 4-6 @ 4.14.
I considered a 1X2 Draw @ 3.02 but I’ve actually gone out on a bit of a limb with my ** prediction which is Half Time Full Time Draw Draw @ 4.89.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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