Bologna-Spezia is a Serie A Week 20 match played on Friday at 18:30: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Thiago Motta rejoins Spezia, led last season to a quiet salvation and well ahead of schedule. The Italo-Brazilian coach then failed to reach an agreement for another season in Liguria and last September took on Bologna, who at the halfway mark are eleventh in the table, on 23 points, the same as Juventus (post-penalisation) and Fiorentina.
The Felsini, as well as the Ligurians – who have five fewer points – are keeping their distance from the dangerous areas, even if last Saturday’s victory over third-last Verona has once again raised the salvation quota. Bologna, however, seem to have lost a little rhythm after the World Cup break, perhaps also due to the injury of their goal scorer Arnautovic. The Austrian striker has been struggling for weeks with a nagging injury, and his absence is making itself felt: the red and blue’s scoring average has dropped considerably, and in the five matches played in the new year, the only victory was the one won in a comeback (1-2) in the away match in Udine. Then there were three defeats against opponents ahead of them in the table – Roma and Atalanta in the championship and Lazio in the Coppa Italia – while in the last round they took some risks against bottom-of-the-table Cremonese, who snatched a precious point (1-1) at the ‘Dall’Ara’.
Spezia never won in A at the “Dall’Ara “
Inconstant performance also for Spezia who, after a brilliant start with the double draw against Atalanta and Lecce and the unexpected victory in Torino (0-1) against the granata, lost decisively in the Coppa Italia against the bergamaschi (5-2) and in the championship surrendered 2-0 to Mourinho and Dybala’s Roma.
Green
The trend, in short, seems to have changed compared to the first half of the season, when Luca Gotti’s team had scored most of their points at home. In 2023, however, Spezia have yet to win a match in front of their own public. Since Spezia ‘discovered’ the top flight, that is, for three seasons, they have never managed to conquer the ‘Dall’Ara’. The last meeting in the capital of Emilia dates back to last February, when a double from Arnautovic made Manaj’s goal in vain.
Bologna-Spezia: latest line-up news
Nothing to do for Arnautovic. The Austrian is still feeling pain in his foot and is unlikely to be available for Spezia. A big chance for the returning Zirkzee, favoured over Gambian Barrow. Behind the former Bayern Munich striker, Orsolini, Ferguson and Soriano should act. In the midfield more Schouten than Moro alongside Dominguez. A ballot on the left flank between Cambiaso and Lykogiannis.
Problems in attack also for Gotti, who has to give up Nzola: the French striker will be out for at least a month. Verde and Gyasi will play up front, but the list of unavailable players is by no means short: Zoet, Zurkowski, Ekdal and Bastoni are also missing. On the right, Holm is expected to win out over Ferrer, while in defence Caldara has been promoted to first-choice after the departure of Kiwior, who was sold to Arsenal for 25 million.
The Prediction
The match between Bologna and Spezia is not an easy one to interpret, two teams who have had contrasting results since the start of the season, including in terms of goals scored. The Felsinei, however, have a good home performance this year and should be able to avoid defeat in a match that is likely to result in at least two goals in total.
Bologna v Spezia matchday squad
- BOLOGNA (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Soumaoro, Lucumì, Lykogiannis; Dominguez, Schouten; Orsolini, Ferguson, Soriano; Zirkzee.
- SPEZIA (3-5-2): Dragowski; Amian, Caldara, Nikolaou; Holm, Bourabia, Ampadu, Agudelo, Reca; Verde, Gyasi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
