Four points for Spezia, two for Bologna. It’s hard to expect more from the Ligurians, who can afford to look at the glass half full. There are well-founded worries, instead, in the Emilian environment: between Lazio and Milan, the red-blues have perhaps collected less than they deserved, but they must above all reckon with the great regret for the double home draw against two direct competitors such as Verona and Salernitana, in which Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men were expected to obtain at least one success. Felsinei in crisis also from the offensive point of view: it is true, they did not find the way of the goal only in the challenge of San Siro, but the three goals scored so far all bear the signature of Marko Arnautovic, who, as last year, confirms himself as the man of providence.
Although looking at the league table makes little sense at the moment, Bologna’s is not a pretty one: Mihajlovic is still waiting for his first win and his side have only done better than the newly promoted Cremonese and Monza. There is not the same pressure on the shoulders of Luca Gotti, the protagonist of a positive start to the season on the Bianconeri bench. It was almost impossible to come back with points in your pocket from the prohibitive away matches with Inter and Juventus – however, Wednesday’s performance at the Allianz Stadium was willing, despite not scoring a goal – but Nzola and his team-mates were able to exploit the field factor of the ‘Picco’ by beating Empoli 1-0 on their debut and drawing 2-2 with Sassuolo.
Spezia-Bologna: latest line-up news
Gyasi
After having served his disqualification for the expulsion against Sassuolo, Spezia’s ex-former Ekdal is pushing for a starting berth: it will be a duel with Kovalenko. At the back Ampadu, picked up in the last few days of the market, could make his debut, while the flanks will be dominated by Holm and Reca. Up front Gyasi will take the place of the injured Verde.
In Bologna, Mihajlovic might decide to give space to newcomer Zirkzee, former Bayern Munich player already seen two seasons ago in Parma. To flank Arnautovic, however, Orsolini, who also has precedence over Sansone, still seems to be in the lead. Cambiaso will be on the bench: former Cagliari man Lykogiannis will start on the first day. In defence, Posch will play Soumaoro.
The prediction
Who needs the points most is undoubtedly Bologna, who have won on this pitch in their last three matches. It is probable that the Felsinei will manage to win at least a point, although Spezia have so far seemed to have the edge in front of their home crowd. It will likely be a balanced match, in which both sides should score. If it ends in a draw, it would not be a surprise.
The likely line-up for Spezia-Bologna
- SPEZIA (3-5-2): Dragowski; Ampadu, Kiwior, Nikolaou; Holm, Kovalenko, Bourabia, Bastoni, Reca; Gyasi, Nzola.
- BOLOGNA (3-5-2): Skorupski; Soumaoro, Medel, Lucumì; De Silvestri, Schouten, Dominguez, Soriano, Lykogiannis; Orsolini, Arnautovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
