Torino - Bologna predictions and free betting tips [03/05/2024]

On Friday, May 3, Torino will host Bologna in matchday 35 of the Italian Serie A. Iván Jurić's side have failed to score in three straight matches and have definitively lost their chance to finish in the European spots, while the Rossoblù are still fighting for a top-four finish.

Predicted line-ups

Torino: Milinković-Savić; Bellanova, Buongiorno, Lovato, Rodríguez; Linetty, Ricci, Ilič; Lazaro, Vlašić; Zapata.
Bologna: Skorupski; Poh, Lukumi, Calafiori, Christiansen; Frojdler; N'Doye, Ebişer, El Azzouzi, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee.

Torino

Torino are currently 10th in Serie A and have no chance of finishing in the European spots. They are nine points behind the leading pack and have lost momentum in recent weeks: in the last 10 matches, they have only won twice, drawn four times and lost four times. After sharing the spoils with Juventus (0:0) and Frosinone (0:0), Iván Jurić's crew lost to the newly crowned Italian champions - Inter (2:0) last weekend. The teams went into half-time goalless, but on the 49th minute Tamez was shown a red card and the outcome of the match was decided (Hakan Çalhanoğlu secured a brace). Out of all the teams in Serie A, Torino have scored the least number of goals at home – 15, which highlights the problems they'll face in the upcoming clash.

In terms of points garnered at home, the Bulls rank 9th in the overall standings (29 in 17 matches). Torino are without defenders Gigi and Schürrle, as well as promising 19-year-old midfielder Gineitis due to injury. In addition, key defensive midfielder Tamez will be suspended this weekend following his dismissal in the last round. We can expect to see the experienced Duván Zapata leading the attack (11 goals and 4 assists) while Bellanova and Buongiorno control the defence. Dušan Vlašić will once again play behind the forwards, with Lazaro and Ilič on the flanks; Antonio Sanabria can bolster the play by coming off the bench. 

Bologna

Bologna has been the surprise package of the 2023/2024 season, throwing all predictions off by challenging for a Champions League place. Thiago Motta's side are fourth in Serie A and, with a game in hand, are six points ahead of Atalanta in the sixth spot. They remain confident as they have only lost to Inter (0:1) in their last 14 rounds. On the downside, the Rossoblù dropped a few valuable points in April: after a critical victory over Roma (1:3), they were held to a draw at home by Udinese (1:1). Martin Payero opened the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time, while Saelemaekers levelled on 78 minutes despite the dismissal of Bekeman. Significant to note is that Motta's boys have remained unbeaten in their last six away engagements, triumphing five times.

In terms of points gathered on the road, the Rossoblù are sixth in the overall standings (23 points in 16 matches, 19 goals scored, 18 conceded). Bologna's squad continues to be without key attacking midfielder Ferguson (6 goals and 3 assists), long-term absentee centre-back Sumaoro and winter signing Odegaard (2 goals in 6 matches) due to injury. Furthermore, defender Bekema is serving a suspension. Prominent in the attack are influential Orsolini (10 goals and 2 assists) and Zirkzee (11 goals and 4 assists), while winger Saelemaekers has been impressive lately (3 goals and 1 assist in the last 4 rounds). Bologna boasts the third-best defence in the league: conceding just 27 goals in 34 matches.

Head-to-head

In the first leg, Bologna won at home 2:0. However, in Turin, the Rossoblù have failed to win in four consecutive encounters.

Torino- Bologna prediction

The teams' motivations for the rest of the season significantly differ: while Torino are merely seeing out the championship and have already lost their chance of finishing in the European spots, the Rossoblù are battling for a top-four finish and can't afford to stumble. Thiago Motta's side is improving with each round, so we confidently back the visitors to win with a 0 handicap.

Total Prediction

This Friday's match promises to be low-scoring: Torino have failed to score in four of their last five home matches (three goalless draws), while Bologna hardly concedes. My prediction is the total Under 2.5.