Bologna - Udinese predictions and free betting tips [28/04/2024]

On Sunday, 28th April, as part of the 34th round of the Italian Serie A, Bologna will host Udinese at their home ground. Bologna clinched a notable victory over Roma at the Olimpico this past Monday whilst Udinese suffered a disappointing setback at the hands of the same Roman side on Thursday (1:2).

Predicted Line-ups

Bologna: Skorupski; Posh, Lukumi, Calafiori, Christiansen; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, El Azzouzi, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee.
Udinese: Okoye; Kristensen, Bírol, Perez; Ehzibue, Paiero, Valas, Samardzic, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca.

Bologna

Surprisingly, Bologna, currently occupying 4th place in the Serie A table and holding an 8-point lead over 6th placed Atalanta, has a fair shot at Champions League qualification. For a club, not particularly accustomed to action on the continental stage, this would be quite an achievement. Thiago Motta's charges are brimming with confidence: in the last 13 rounds, Bologna conceded only to Inter (0:1), recorded 9 victories and thrice drew. Following consecutive stalemates against Frosinone (0:0) and Monza(0:0), the hosts stunningly bounced back this past Monday, taking a vital stride towards Champions League qualification by vanquishing Roma at the Olimpico with a scoreline of 1:3. Usama El-Azzouzi spectacularly propelled Bologna into the lead, followed by goals from Alexis Saelemaekers and Joshua Zirkzee. Now, the team returns to Stadio Dall'Ara where they have garnered 12 victories in 17 rounds. The 62 points bagged to date represent the best the club has done at this stage of the national campaign since 1967! Moreover, only Napoli and Cagliari have earned more points in games when trailing during play. Unfortunately, Bologna will be without key attacking midfielder Ferguson (6 goals and 3 assists), whose season has been cut short due to injury. The host's list of absentees also features defender Sumaoro and striker Odgaard, a winter arrival at the club (2 goals in 6 matches). Nevertheless, Thiago Motta can count on an optimal squad, including winger Saelemaekers (3 goals and 2 assists) and forward Zirkzee (11 goals and 4 assists). Experienced winger Orsolini (10 goals and 2 assists), who started from the bench on Monday, also eyes a starting berth this time around.

Udinese

Udinese is facing serious relegation threat in the final sprint of the season, currently placed 17th in the Serie A table, with a similar points tally to Frosinone. The Friuli side have not looked inspiring of late: in the past nine rounds, they have managed just one victory, managed a draw thrice and surrendered five times. After returning from the international break in March, the Zebrette managed a goalless draw against Sassuolo, a direct survival rival, and then succumbed to Inter (1:2) and Verona (1:0) over this past weekend. This week, Fabio Cannavoro's troupe suffered a defeat against Roma in a fixture that resumed at the 72nd minute (1:2), with Bryan Cristante deciding the outcome in the dying stages. Whilst Bologna are the comeback specialists, only Sassuolo has squandered more points from winning positions throughout Serie A than the Friulani (22).

Interestingly, the visitors have gathered 16 points in as many away games, which is superior to any other team still battling for survival. The club's coaching staff is still left ruing the absence of injured Lovrich and Toven (5 goals and 3 assists), while Ebosse and Deulofeu are also in recovery. In attack, we'll likely see talismanic forward Lucca (7 goals and 3 assists in SA), despite his goal drought over the past three matches. Fabio Cannavaroi's potential changes to the bianconeri's entrenched three-man defence are yet unknown, but in midfield, we should expect a showing from Brazilian Roberto Pereyra.

Head-to-Head

Bologna unexpectedly conceded to Udinese in a 3:0 match of the first round back in December, yet the zebrette have not gained the upper hand in the last five away confrontations at Renato Dall'Ara.

Predictions for the match Bologna - Udinese

Boasting the second-best home points tally in Serie A, Bologna are predictably the favourites on paper. The zebrette, with a new boss at the helm and battling to retain their top flight status, will certainly not go down without a fight, however, the class of the two teams isn't comparable at the moment. My prediction is a victory for the favourites with a margin of 1-2 goals.