Bologna is set to face Verona on December 30th, 2024, at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium for the 18th round of Serie A. The home team has been demonstrating solid form under the guidance of Vincenzo Italiano, and as such, they are being regarded as strong favorites for this encounter.
Currently, Bologna stands at 7th place on the Serie A table with 28 points, having won 7, drawn 7, and lost only 2 of their 16 matches played so far this season. Their recent performances have included impressive victories over Toro (2-0) and Monza (4-0), proving their capabilities and solidifying their positioning as contenders for European spots.
On the other hand, Verona struggles at the opposite end of the table, positioned at 17th place with only 15 points after 17 matches, putting them perilously close to the relegation zone. Their last outing resulted in a narrow defeat against Milan, losing 0-1, which exacerbates their struggles as they remain focused on survival within top-flight football.
Head-to-head statistics seem to favor Bologna, who has emerged victorious from their last two encounters against Verona across all competitions. Notably, Bologna has not lost at home this season, and recent trends indicate they are on a roll, which puts Verona at a significant disadvantage.
One concerning statistic for Verona is their recent form, with only one win out of their last six matches and five losses. The team needs to address their defensive issues, as they've conceded 40 goals throughout the season, leading the league in this undesirable category.
Betting odds heavily lean toward Bologna, and with the analysis of previous games, the recommended bet suggests punters should back Bologna with Asian handicap -1. Given their home advantage and Verona’s obvious struggles, expectations are for Bologna to secure three points with possibly less than three total goals, based on their previous matches.
Several interesting trends emerge when analyzing the match’s odds. Bologna fans have reason to be optimistic as the team maintains an undefeated home streak, which now stands at 11 matches. Coupled with the fact Verona has consistently struggled on the road, particularly with multiple losses, leads one to infer the likelihood of Bologna winning convincingly.
Predictions from various analysts echo this sentiment, anticipating Bologna not only to win but perhaps to do so with limited scoring—a common pattern seen when these teams meet. Betting favorites for the match include options on total goals scored, emphasizing the possibility of Bologna finishing the match without conceding any goals.
Finally, we can project Bologna's attacking prowess, noting they frequently score after the 70th minute, which provides additional insight for those considering more strategic betting options based on time of goal scenarios.
Overall, with Bologna’s form and home advantage poised against the shaky backdrop of Verona’s contest against relegation, the upcoming match promises to be intriguing yet heavily skewed toward the hosts, likely securing another decisive win as they advance toward the middle of the season.