Juventus vs Bologna
Italian Serie A
Date: Sunday, 8th January 2017
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Venue: Juventus Stadium (Turin).
Juventus have played 1 game less than their closest rivals due to their participation in the Italian Super Cup against Milan in the Middle East. Juventus lost the game on penalties but they won't be too concerned as they have made an excellent start to this season currently 4 points clear of Roma in 2nd.
Massimo Allegri has won 4/5 games in competitions with the Milan loss classed as a draw (1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time) going 4-1-0. Juventus have scored in 5/5, netting 2 or more in 3/5, winning 3/3 when doing so and 3/3 by 2 goals or more. At the back, 2/5 clean sheets is ok, conceding 2 or more in 0/5 which includes tough games against Milan, Roma, Torino and Atalanta.
At the Juventus Stadium it's 4/5 wins (4-1-0) with Lyon (1-1) the only side to hold them. Juventus have won their last 4 matches here scoring in 5/5 and 2 or more in 3/5. At the back, 3/5 clean sheets including 3 in the last 4 conceding 2 or more in 0/5 games.
Bologna
Bologna thumped lowly Pescara 0-3 to finish 2016. The win moves Bologna into 15th place a 10 point gap to the bottom 3 so I'm sure they will visit Juventus with very little pressure on their shoulders.
Roberto Donadoni has won 2/5 games (2-1-2) with Bologna scoring in just 2/5 games with both defeats to nil and the draw 0-0. In both wins Bologna netted 2 goals or more but it's hard to see that happening at Juventus. At the back, 3/5 clean sheets is strong with 1 conceded in the last 3 games, only Atalanta has scored 2 or more against them in this run.
Away from home the win at Pescara is their first in 5 (1-2-2). Bologna have scored in 3/5 and haven't lost in any of those 3 games (1-2-0). They have netted 2 goals or more in just 1/5 keeping 1/5 clean sheets. Despite 1 clean sheet, only Roma have netted 2 or more against them in this run in a 3-0 win.
Betting Verdict
I will take Juventus -2 AH.
Bologna have produced some decent results on their travels drawing at Inter and Lazio 1-1. However, Roma (3-0), Napoli (3-1 & 6-0) and Torino (5-1) have inflicted big losses on them in the last year.
Juventus have won by at least 2 goals when scoring 2 or more in a game in their last 5. Bologna tend to concede against the stronger sides and Juventus are the strongest in the country.
Juventus have scored 2 or more goals in 5/6 at home in Serie A games which includes Roma, Napoli and Atalanta. Bologna produced a good result at bottom Pescara but this should be very straight forward for Juventus.
The hosts will benefit from the rest and with their big squad I expect them to be really sharp on Sunday. A win by at least 2 goals but hopefully they push on and get a 3rd. Home Win.
Juventus vs Bologna: Head-to-head stats
Bologna were able to hold Juventus to a 0-0 draw in their latest Serie A meeting at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Juve are still unbeaten in the last 9 meetings against Bologna with 5 wins and 4 draws.
At Turin, Juventus are on a three match winning streak against Bologna.
Bologna last win at Turin was on 2011 and this is their only win in 16 away matches against Juventus in all competitions.
Juventus vs Bologna: Prediction
The defending Italian champions are strong favourites to win this one and many bookmakers are priced their win at a very low odds of 1.20. Since playing at home, the Old Lady are very likely to go into the half-time break with a lead. Juve to win first half is offered at the decent odds of 1.57, which we believe is the safest bet for this fixture. Alternatively, you can back HT/FT in favour of Juve at 1.65.
Juventus vs Bologna: Bet Tips
Juventus to win first-half at 1.57
HT/FT – Juve/Juve at 1.65.
