Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
On Tuesday, April 1st, the Coppa Italia semi-final match will see Empoli host Bologna. Kick-off is at 21:00 CET, and I'm offering a wager on the match winner.
Empoli vs Bologna: match facts and head-to-head
- Empoli has not won in four consecutive matches: two draws and two losses.
- Bologna has secured five consecutive victories and lost only once in their last ten encounters.
- Bologna has scored at least one goal in five consecutive matches.
- Empoli has failed to keep a clean sheet for 21 matches.
- At home, Empoli has not won in eight matches: six draws and two losses.
- In 35% of this season's matches, Bologna scores in both halves.
- Only 6% of Empoli's matches have been won with a clean sheet, while Bologna's figure is 25%.
- The last two head-to-head meetings between the teams ended in a draw.
Empoli vs Bologna: match preview
Empoli pulled off a sensation in the last round of the Coppa Italia, knocking out Juventus in a penalty shootout. Before that, they also eliminated Fiorentina (also on penalties, 3-2). Their cup journey began in the Round of 64, where they thrashed Catanzaro (4-1), and then narrowly defeated Torino (2-1) in the Round of 32. However, in Serie A, the team is fighting for survival and currently sits in 18th place.
Bologna had a rough start to the new season but found their form and are now seriously contending for a UEFA Champions League spot. They currently have 56 points, just one point ahead of Juventus. In the Coppa Italia, Bologna started from the Round of 16, crushing Monza (4-0), and then sensationally knocked out Atalanta in the quarter-finals with a lone goal in the 80th minute. Last season, the team was eliminated in the quarter-finals, so they have already surpassed their previous achievement.
Probable lineups
- Empoli: Silvestri; De Sciglio, Marjanovic, Viti; Gyasi, Kovalenko, Grassi, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Colombo.
- Bologna: Ravaglia; Holm, Beukema, Lucumí, Miranda; Freuler, Moro; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Dallinga.
Prediction
Empoli has had an impressive run to the semi-finals, but I don't think they'll manage to beat Bologna. Their opponent is in excellent form, and I'm betting on an away victory with odds of 1.8.
