Bologna - AC Monza predictions and free betting tips [13/04/2024]

On Saturday, 13 April, within the framework of the 32nd round of the Italian Serie A, Bologna will face Monza on home turf. The Rossoblu—striving for a Champions League berth for the first time in half a century—will go head-to-head against a team vying to finish in the elite division's top 10 for the first time in their history.  

Bologna

Bologna, the real surprise of the current season in Italy, are currently 4th in the Serie A table and 3 points ahead of trailing Roma. Tiago Motta's team hopes to enter history, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in more than half a century! Notably, the hosts have lost only one of their last eleven league games, winning eight times and drawing twice, with the only loss coming at home against league leaders Internazionale (0:1). Since then, the Rossoblu have defeated Empoli (0:1) and Salernitana (3:0), and last weekend they drew with Frosinone (0:0). It's significant to note that the Emiliani have preserved a Serie A record 10 home "clean sheets" and now aim to make it 11 home games for the first time since 1967 without conceding a goal in the national championship.

With such reliable defensive performance, the hosts have the second-highest home points tally in Serie A: 38 in 16 matches. In Motta's lineup, long-term injury casualties Sumaoro and Odgaard are still out. Defender Bukema also missed the last two games but stands a good chance of recovering for the coming round. In attack, the main threat to the opponent's goal is represented by winger Orsolini (10 goals and 2 assists) and Dutch forward Zirkzee (10 goals and 3 assists). With Alexis Saelemaekers set to serve out his suspension for accruing yellow cards, Dan N'Doye may start from the first minute, and John Lukumi is set to continue shoring up the Rossoblu’s defence.

Monza

Now in their second season in the elite of Italian football, Monza is not fretting over relegation in the remaining rounds of this campaign. Currently, the Lombardians are in 11th place in the Serie A table, 6 points behind 7th placed Napoli. Having won 5 of their last 8 matches and suffered just one loss, the red-whites, much to their supporters' disappointment, have slowed down in April: sequentially beating Torino (1:0) and Napoli last weekend (2:4). After an early goal by Milan Djuric, Monza led the score for almost an hour but then conceded four times in less than 15 minutes! It's important to note that Raffaele Palladino's charges, although allowing an average of 2.2 goals per match, rank eighth overall for the number of points gained away from home: 19 in 15 away games. 

As it is, Monza's calendar isn't exactly forgiving: after duelling with Bologna, the visitors are set for a clash with Atalanta, followed by confrontations with Lazio and Fiorentina. The Monza coaching staff will have to compensate for the long-term absence of injured forward Caprari, striker Mota, veteran defender D'Ambrosio, and regular substitutes Bettella and Vignato. Additionally, veteran defender Caldara is suspended after an accumulation of yellow cards, while veteran Papu Gomez continues to serve a long-term suspension for doping. Midfielder Pessina, on the other hand, has returned from suspension. The starting lineup is expected to include team's attacking mainstays Colpani (8 goals and 4 assists) and winter signing Daniel Maldini (3 goals and 1 assist). 

Head-to-Head 

The last face-off between these teams occurred in September and ended in a 0:0 draw; prior to that, both teams had gained away victories once.  

Match prediction for Bologna - Monza

Both teams adhere closely to their managers' tactics, so a tenacious fight from the apparent underdog is foreseeable. However, Bologna rarely falters at home and are motivated to reach the Champions League, while the red-whites have practically lost their chances of finishing in the European zone (not that it was an initial season goal anyway). We confidently bet on the triumph of Rossoblu this Saturday.