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Bologna will welcome Udinese to Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in their Serie A campaign opener on Sunday. The hosts finished fifth in the league standings last season, booking a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage. The visitors narrowly avoided relegation, finishing in 15th place with just two more points than relegated Frosinone.
The hosts enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season, winning three of their four friendlies. They concluded their pre-season against Mallorca last week, recording a 6-5 win on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.
The visitors had a decent run in the pre-season and continued their form in the Coppa Italia first round last week. They hosted third-tier side Avellino and registered a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Brenner, Florian Thauvin, Lorenzo Lucca, and Keinan Davis.
Bologna vs Udinese Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two sides have squared off 93 times in all competitions. They have contested these games closely, with the hosts having a narrow 35-32 lead in wins and 26 games ending in draws.
- The hosts went winless in their two league meetings against the visitors last season, suffering an away loss, and the home meeting ended in a 1-1 draw.
- The two teams are meeting in the Serie A opener for the first time since the 1957-58 campaign, with that match ending in a 2-2 draw.
- Bologna are unbeaten in their last six home meetings against the visitors, with four meetings ending in draws.
- Udinese have just one win in their last nine meetings against the hosts, with that triumph coming at home last season.
- The visitors concluded the 2023-24 campaign on a five-game unbeaten streak. Interestingly, they scored one goal apiece in four games in that period.
Bologna vs Udinese Prediction
The Rossoblù had just one win in their last five league outings last season, with three games ending in draws. They suffered just one loss at home in the league since September and are strong favorites.
Vincenzo Italiano will take charge of the first competitive match as the hosts' head coach but has some injury concerns. Emil Holm, Kacper Urbanski, Jhon Lucumí, Lewis Ferguson, and Oussama El Azzouzi are injured, while Michel Aebischer faces a late fitness test.
The Friulani registered a commanding win in the Coppa Italia last week and will look to build on that form. They won their last two away games in Serie A while keeping clean sheets. Thomas Kristensen is the only absentee for the visitors.
Considering the home advantage for the Red and Blues, we back the hosts to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Bologna 2-1 Udinese
Bologna vs Udinese Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Bologna to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Riccardo Orsolini to score or assist any time - Yes
