The Allianz Stadium in Turin is set to host a crucial Serie A encounter this Saturday as Juventus welcome Bologna in what promises to be an intriguing battle between two sides with contrasting recent fortunes.
Juventus, the only unbeaten team in Serie A this season, find themselves in an unusual position. Despite their impressive defensive record, the Bianconeri have struggled to convert draws into wins, leaving them trailing in the title race. Manager Thiago Motta, facing his former club for the first time, has overseen a remarkable 10 draws in his first 19 games at the helm.
The Old Lady’s most recent outing saw them held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Lecce, with Andrea Cambiaso’s goal canceled out by a late equalizer. This result left Juventus six points adrift of league leaders Napoli, a gap they’ll be eager to close.
In contrast, Bologna arrive in Turin riding a wave of momentum. The Rossoblu have won four of their last five league games, propelling them into the top half of the table. Their recent form has been nothing short of impressive, with a 3-0 victory over Venezia in Serie A followed by a convincing 4-0 thrashing of Monza in the Coppa Italia.
Under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna have found their stride after a challenging start to the season. The team’s attacking prowess has been particularly noteworthy, with young star Santiago Castro leading the line effectively.
The history between these two sides heavily favors Juventus, who are unbeaten in their last 24 league encounters with Bologna. However, the recent trend has been towards stalemates, with the last three meetings ending in draws, including a thrilling 3-3 result last season.
This match presents an intriguing tactical duel. Juventus, known for their defensive solidity under Motta, will aim to break their drawing habit while maintaining their unbeaten status. Bologna, buoyed by their recent attacking form, will look to exploit any weaknesses in the Juventus backline.
Team News
Juventus received a boost with the potential return of striker Dusan Vlahovic and young full-back Nicolo Savona. Vlahovic’s presence could be crucial, given his impressive scoring record against Bologna. However, the home side will still be without several key players due to injuries, including Arkadiusz Milik, Bremer, and Douglas Luiz.
For Bologna, the spotlight will be on Santiago Castro, who has been directly involved in 10 goals across all competitions this season. The visitors are likely to field a strong lineup, with Lukasz Skorupski, Dan Ndoye, and Sam Beukema expected to return after being rested midweek.
Expected Starting XIs
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Danilo, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Ndoye, Odgaard, Dominguez; Castro
Match Prediction
While Bologna’s recent form is impressive, Juventus’ home advantage and their need for a win could prove decisive. Expect a closely contested match with Juventus potentially edging it by a narrow margin. The Old Lady’s quest for three points might just overcome Bologna’s resurgence in what should be a captivating Serie A encounter.
Prediction: Juvenus 1-0 Bologna
