Napoli go head-to-head against Bologna on Sunday. Read our Predictions and Betting Tips with Match Preview, Head-to-head stats (h2h) and Team Form Analysis.
Our prediction for this Serie A match:
After suffering a 3-0 loss to Verona, Napoli will look to give fans some cheer when they take on Bologna in their first home game of the season. The Neapolitans experienced all sorts of problems at the back against the Mastini and, as a result, new boss Antonio Conte is expected to shuffle his pack. Victor Osimhen is no longer part of the team, with Giovanni Simeone likely to lead the line for the hosts.
The Rossoblu, on the other hand, played out a 1-1 draw with Udinese in their Serie A opener. Bologna, though, have lost several first-team regulars in the summer transfer window. Which is probably the main reason why we are going to bet on Antonio Conte’s troops. To make things even worse for the away team, all Emil Holm, Jhon Lucumi, Kacper Urbanski, Oussama El Azzouzi, and Lewis Ferguson miss out with injuries.
How the bookies view it: Napoli backed to triumph
The bookies have installed Napoli as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 9/10 by HB88. A victory for Bologna is valued at 16/5 by 188jili, who is also offering odds of 12/5 for a draw.
Head to head: Napoli on top
Napoli have a 21-12 advantage with seven draws from 40 previous matches against Bologna. However, Bologna were unbeaten in the two fixtures last season, playing out a 0-0 draw at home before winning 2-0 in Naples.
Players to watch: Politano to step up
With Osimhen not expected to play and Kvaratskhelia seemingly injured, Napoli’s attacking threat will rest on Matteo Politano. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 7/2 by wjpeso.
Orsolini appears to have picked up where he left off last season following his goal in the opening fixture. The forward will be the one to watch for Bologna on Sunday and is priced at 4/1 by 188jili to get on the score sheet.
Probable line-ups
Osimhen is likely to miss out once again for Napoli, with his future still uncertain while Kvaratskhelia is ruled out with injury. Giacomo Raspadori should be handed a start after coming off the bench last time out while Stanislav Lobotka is set to feature in midfield.
Summer signing Thijs Dallinga was a second half substitute for Bologna last time out and could be set for his full debut on Saturday. Orsolini is also expected to feature in attack while Sam Beukema is likely to start in defence.
Napoli: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Mazzocchi, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola, Politano, Raspadori, Simeone
Bologna: Skorupski, Posch, Erlic, Beukema, Lykogiannis, Moro, Freuler, Ndoye, Fabbian, Orsolini, Dallinga
Napoli vs Bologna Prediction
It is very interesting to see Napoli as the bookies’ favourites here despite their awful start to the season.
On top of a 0-3 defeat at Verona, Napoli needed penalties to advance to the second round of Coppa Italia despite facing lower-division Modena two weeks ago. Antonio Conte’s men have managed to find the back of the net just once in the last four fixtures across competitions.
Furthermore, Bologna are unbeaten in five games they have played this summer. They looked great in a 1-1 draw to Udinese last Sunday. Finally, Bologna are undefeated in the previous three H2H encounters against Napoli. A streak that involves a 2-0 victory for the Rossoblu just over three months ago in Naples.
We will back Bologna to win or draw as the main betting option at the odds of 1.90. The best alternative pick would be a 1-1 stalemate at the 6.50 odds.
