Serie A Preview: Juventus vs Bologna – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Sunday’s Serie A action caps off at the Allianz Stadium as fourth-placed Juventus take on European hopefuls Bologna in a high-stakes clash. Fresh off leapfrogging Como into fourth spot, Luciano Spalletti’s side can take a decisive step toward securing Champions League qualification.

Winter signing Jeremie Boga helped Juventus take down his former side Atalanta last weekend, scoring a second-half winner in Bergamo. Boga’s heroics saw the Bianconeri steer two points clear of fifth-placed Como, who suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Sassuolo on Friday.

Juventus’ top-four pursuit received another boost yesterday, as Roma and Atalanta shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico. Therefore, Spalletti won’t have a better chance than this to solidify Juve’s position in the standings ahead of the final five matchdays.

Bologna will have to go to great lengths to knock Juventus off their perch, with the record-time Italian champions winning four of their last five league games (D1). However, anything other than a victory in Turin would likely end the visitors’ hopes of returning to a major European competition next season.

Their quest to claim Europa League glory fell apart in the quarter-finals, as Aston Villa thumped them 7-1 on aggregate. Thursday’s dismal 4-0 defeat in the Midlands dampened Bologna’s spirits ahead of this must-win showdown, casting further doubt on their bid to win three consecutive league matches for only the third time this season.

Match Preview

Juventus

Spalletti celebrated his contract extension with a crucial win at the New Balance Arena, as Juventus extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to six games (W4, D2). It’s worth noting that only reigning champions Napoli accumulated more points in that stretch than the Bianconeri, with the Turin giants keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Juventus’ indomitable home record against sides starting this round of fixtures outside the division’s top five can inspire further confidence (W7, D5). In fact, Spalletti’s men have suffered just one Serie A defeat on home soil all season (W9, D6), reinforcing their status as firm favorites heading into this mouth-watering encounter.

Furthermore, Juventus boast an intimidating 14-game unbeaten home streak against Bologna (W10, D4). However, it’s worth noting that three of their last four meetings at the Allianz Stadium ended all square, suggesting the hosts would be naive to take anything for granted despite eking out a 1-0 win in December’s reverse fixture at Renato Dall’Ara.

Juan Cabal’s winner earlier this season ended a run of five consecutive league draws between Juventus and Bologna, extending the Rossoblu’s wait for a first top-flight victory against this opposition to 27 matches. Indeed, Bologna’s last Serie A win against the Bianconeri came in February 2011, perhaps best illustrating the magnitude of the task ahead.

Still, back-to-back victories over the relegation-threatened duo Lecce and Cremonese have kept Bologna’s dream of securing a top-seven finish alive. Moreover, the visitors have won their last four away league matches and could make it five triumphs in a row for only the second time in the club’s history. Unfortunately, that looks easier said than done.

Vincenzo Italiano’s men have yet to win away against higher-ranked opponents in the league this season (D1, L3). However, after scoring in 14 consecutive away league outings, Bologna will back themselves to trouble Juventus’ backline and make life difficult for their more esteemed hosts.

Team News

In addition to Cabal, who scored a winner in the reverse fixture, Juventus will also be without star striker Dusan Vlahovic. Arkadiusz Milik is likely to miss the rest of the season due to a muscle injury, meaning high-flying Boga could lead the line again. On the bright side, USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie returns from suspension.

Meanwhile, Bologna’s sizable injury list features the likes of Thijs Dallinga, Nicolo Casale, Benjamin Dominguez, and first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. All eyes will be on long-serving stalwart Riccardo Orsollini, who ended his scoreless Serie A run last weekend against Lecce.

Juventus vs Bologna Potential Starting Lineups

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Boga.

Bologna (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.

Juventus vs Bologna Prediction

Backing Bologna to end their 15-year drought in this fixture doesn’t make much sense despite their impressive away form. Thursday’s fiasco at Villa Park must have stripped Italiano’s side of confidence, boosting Juventus’ bid to build on recent victories.