Bologna vs Palermo
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 20 November 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara (Bologna).
Two teams on awful runs of form meet in Serie A on Sunday, will either be able to muster up a victory? They have the attacking talent needed to improve that form, but these two are poor at the back, and that’s costing them points. The way both are playing, expect goals in this clash.
Palermo are rooted in the relegation zone, having taken just six points from their 12 matches so far. All of those points have been picked up on the road. They’ll be aiming to add to that tally with victory against a Bologna side who aren’t looking too great themselves.
They’ve picked up 10 points from six at home, which accounts for the vast majority of their points haul this term. Bologna have dropped to 15th having failed to win any of their last seven matches. Luckily for them the bottom three have all been really poor this term so they still find themselves six points above 18th.
Palermo are one of those poor teams in the bottom three, and they can match Bologna’s seven game wait for a victory. Their run is actually even worse, seeing as they’ve now lost five consecutive matches in the league. They’re now four points from safety,and that looks like a giant gap given their current form. Will the visitors be able to turn things around this weekend?
They’ve both conceded in their last seven games, although they do have the firepower to respond with a few goals. Bologna average a goal per game at their own ground while Palermo have found the net six times in six away matches. They’ve also scored in their last six games, which shows that their problems lie elsewhere.
Bologna have been a little goal shy of late, but we’re backing that to change against this awful Palermo defence. They’ve conceded at least two goals in their last five matches while they’ve let in two goals per game on the road. They’ve also conceded in 83% of away games so far.
With that poor record, the hosts should have no trouble finding the net at least once. With both sides struggling at the back, we think both teams to score is the best bet here, at 19/20 with bet365.
Bologna vs Palermo: Head-to-head statistics
Palermo have lost their past five games.
The Rosanero have conceded at least two goals in that time.
Palermo have won 17 of their 48 Serie A games against Bologna; which is the second best result against any other Serie A side (besides Sampdoria).
Bologna failed to score last season against Palermo; before then, they had netted in their prior 11 meetings.
Palermo have a record of W1-D6-L13 in their past 20 away games against teams ranked higher than them in the table.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 12 out of Bologna’s last 13 home matches.
Bologna vs Palermo: Prediction
Palermo have lost their last five games. Bologna, meanwhile are winless in their past seven. So which side will manage to turn things around? Oddly enough, Maurizio Zamparini has yet to sack Roberto De Zerbi, but for how long will he be able to last if Palermo fail to rebound? Palermo have scored in five out of their last six trips to Bologna’s home ground, but Bologna have won three out of their last five home games against the Rosanero.
This could be a close one, with Palermo continuing their record of scoring away from home.
Bologna vs Palermo: Betting tips
Both teams to score – YES at 19/20 (1.95)
DRAW at 13/5 (3.60).
