Bologna vs Napoli Prediction and Preview – 06/12/15
Serie A preview – Bologna vs Napoli prediction
Bologna coach Roberto Donadoni could be without attacker Matteo Mancosu and midfielder Emanuele Giaccherini who were both substituted after suffering knocks during the 2-0 defeat at Torino last Saturday. Mattia Destro returns from a one-match suspension and is expected to start up front. Argentine midfielder Franco Zuculini is close to recovery from the injury that has kept him out since April while defender Emil Krafth continues to be sidelined.
Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri has no new injury concerns following the 2-1 victory over Inter and the first name on the team sheet will be Gonzalo Higuain whose brace on Monday took his tally to 12 goals in 14 league games. Forward Manolo Gabbiadini and midfielder Dries Mertens continue on the road to recovery but are doubtful for the trip north.
Possible Line-ups
Bologna: 4-3-3 formation: Mirante; Rossetini, Gastaldello, Maietta, Maseina ; Rizzo, Diawarra, Donso; Brighi, Destro, Brienza
Napoli: 4-3-3 formation: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne
Statistics
- Bologna have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
- Napoli have won 9, drawn 1 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bologna have scored an average of 1.1 goals and conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Napoli have scored an average of 2 goals and conceded an average of 0.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Bologna’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Napoli’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Bologna’s survival hopes were raised when going on a run of three games unbeaten from the beginning of November until the 2-0 defeat in Torino on the final weekend of the month. Donadoni’s men have been playing well at home to top half sides lately, they were not disgraced in going down 1-0 against Inter before dismissing Atalanta 3-0 a week later. A late penalty earned a 2-2 draw against Roma to produce an acceptable four point haul from the last three games at Renato Dall’Ara.
Napoli are undefeated since losing at Sassuolo on the opening weekend of the season. The victory against Inter earlier this week stretched their win streak to five consecutive matches and leapfrogged their opponents to go top of Serie A. The league leaders boast the best strike partnership in Italy with Higuain (12) and Insigne (7) while playing their part is the joint best defence which has only conceded 9 times along with Inter.
Napoli are now hot favourites to go on to win the title and it’s difficult to see them having any problems maintaining momentum against relegation-threatened Bologna.
Tips
Napoli to win at 1/2 with Betfair Sportsbook
Higuain to score first at 16/5 with Paddy Power
Napoli to win 2-0 at 13/2 with 888sport
What are your predictions?
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