Torino vs Bologna Prediction: Both teams need goals, so back BTTS

The Fright night game from Italy is a big one as all eyes are on Bologna and whether they can qualify for the Champions League. A trip to Turin won't be easy but another good result could really put them in a fantastic position to end up with a top-four finish.

Our Italian Football expert Daniele Fisichella has pulled the assignment for this one as he previews the game, set to be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 (19:45) for us at Betfred Insights and gives us his best Torino vs Bologna predictions...

Matchday 35 in Serie A will open with this clash between two of Italy’s most historic clubs.

The game will also be marked by the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Superga air disaster where the entire Torino team, commonly known as ‘Grande Torino’, lost their life.

This will certainly serve as extra motivation for Ivan Juric’s men, who have dropped in mid-table after the 2-0 defeat last weekend against Inter, and need to produce a strong performance.

But Bologna, who have mathematically qualified to play in Europe after 22 years and are in with a great chance to be in next season’s Champions League, represent a very tough client.

The Granata are winless in the last four games and have failed to score in three consecutive matches.

This season, despite playing well most of the time, the hosts have struggled to create and convert chances, and have only scored 15 home goals, the second worst tally in Serie A, behind Empoli.

Torino are extremely hard to beat at the ‘Stadio Olimpico’, where they’ve lost just two games (against Lazio and Inter) and kept 12 clean sheets, but the same can be said for Bologna on the road.

In fact Thiago Motta’s men collected 13 out of the last 15 away points available and recently scored at least twice against AC Milan, Lazio, Atalanta and Roma.

Last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home against Udinese extended Bologna’s unbeaten run to six games and left the visitors in fourth place, four points clear of Roma.

Bologna have only lost once since mid-February but, despite always showing courage and trying to entertain, their attacking numbers are not as good as other top sides.

In fact they’ve got Serie A’s 8th best offensive record as five of their last seven games have produced less than three goals.

Motta’s men share with the hosts the same issue at breaking deep defensive lines and given Torino’s inclination at keeping games tight the first goal might be decisive on Friday night.

Team News:

In the hosts’ camp Sanabria might return from the first minute up front alongside Zapata.

Ricci and Ilic will play in midfield, while Tameze is suspended. Bellanova and Vojvoda should be the wing-backs, but Lazaro is in contention to start on the left. Lovato will be confirmed in the defensive trio.

Thiago Motta is called upon to make up for Beukema's absence due to suspension, Lucumì and Calafiori will be the centre-back pair.

Freuler will sit in front of the back four, and Fabbian might replace El Azzouzi. Saelemaekers and Orsolini will be the wingers in support of Zirkzee.

Torino vs Bologna Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Torino vs Bologna market page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

The match is expected to be extremely balanced and in fact the odds (7/4) are the same for a Torino or Bologna success.

The hosts are unbeaten in seven of their last eight home matches against the Rossoblu, but in April only bottom of the league Salernitana collected less points than the Granata (two).

Furthermore in the last month Ivan Juric’s men are the ones who scored the least goals, just two, in Serie A.

Bologna won the reverse fixture by 2-0 and are looking to make a double over Torino for the first time since the 1980/1981 season.

However they share with Udinese the record for most away draws this season (eight), and their goal difference on the road is only +1.

Torino have shared the spoils eight times in front of their crowd as the odds for the draw are 21/10.

Torino's last seven home games in Serie A have featured two goals or fewer and Bologna have played only three Serie A away games this season that have gone over 3.5 goals.

Under 2.5 Goals pays 4/9 and Over 2.5 is priced at 13/8.

Bologna Draw No Bet @ 5/6

Bologna have scored in 12 of their 16 away games this season and have Italy’s third best defence.

The recent away results will give Motta’s men plenty of confidence they can prevail even if the game will be be a low scoring affair.

Torino haven’t netted in four of their last five home matches and have only collected just one point in their previous six games against top three oppositions.

Both Teams To Score @ 11/10

Bologna have kept four clean sheets in the last six league games and Torino have kept their opponents at bay in nine of their last 11 Serie A home games.

However the draw is the least useful result for both sides and Bologna, who are in the race for a top-four finish, will have to take some risks.

But given the symbolical and emotional importance of the match the hosts will be more fired up than ever.

Both teams have scored in 11 of Bologna's 16 Serie A away matches this season as two of their five defeats in the league this season have been by a 2-1 scoreline.

You can check out all of Daniele's Serie A Betting Tips here each week along with those of our other Italian Football writers...