We had winning betting preview on the website yesterday, one full win(Thun v Lausanne – Super League) and a half win(Shanghai Shenhua v Guangzhou Evergrande – Super League). We have already added a betting previews for the matches between Crotone v AC Milan and Sampdoria v Benevento and we will add another one for the MLS match between NYC and New England Revolution.
Bologna have close to a full squad available, with Falletti the only injury concern. Verdi was a doubt but has been declared fit, which is good news from a creative perspective, while Krejci and Di Francesco appear to be competing to play. A new look centre back pairing is predicted, with Gonzalez and De Maio likely to begin, and new signing Palacio should make the bench, boosting attacking depth. A win will be the aim for Bologna, but a draw would not be frowned upon either, a result that creates a half win on the +0.25 handicap, with them up against a threatening Torino side. Only one of last season’s home losses came against teams who finished below 9th placed Torino, giving the hosts belief they can get something, while they won’t be prepared to take serious risks whilst on level terms. Donadoni’s side are likely to be the more cagey of the teams, despite playing at home, with them lacking creativity and far from prolific goalscorers. A tight game suits them best, with one that threatens to go over the 2.25 goal line favouring Torino, so they’ll aim to defend well and edge ahead. They’ll sit on any advantage they get, while they may also find it hard to strike back if trailing.
Torino are without Baselli and Valdifiori from midfield and Lyanco and Boye too, but they should be able to cope and the summer acquisitions of Sirigu, N’Koulou and Rincon see the spine of the team strengthened, potentially adding a bit more solidity. They won’t be far from starting their strongest XI, with the usual competition at left-back, while last season’s top scorer Belotti starts up top. Mihajlovic’s side have more quality than Bologna, but their away form wasn’t impressive last season and is something they’ll want to improve. They only won four times on their travels, suggesting the -0.25 handicap may be hard to overcome, but if they perform they are capable, with more talent on their side. They won’t just back, as that’s not in their nature, and they’ll proactively try to win. Torino were regularly involved in high-scoring affairs last season and look set to be as open and as attacking again, while with some new faces in goal and in defence, it may take some time for them to build solidity, which they never had in 2016/17. 26 of their 38 matches beat a 2.25 goal line last term, but there is a contrast in styles between the teams, throwing some doubt on the overs.
Verdict & Prediction
Bologna defeated Torino at home last season and will be aiming for a repeat on the opening weekend of the season. However, although hungry to start the Serie A season well, they suffered a disappointing exit from the Coppa Italia in their first competitive match of the campaign. That means that confidence may not be great, but with Donadoni criticising the players’ performance and questioning their willingness to sacrifice themselves in that game, there could well be a reaction against Torino. A win is an aim, but a draw would be an acceptable start to the campaign.
Prediction: Bologna +0.25 Asian Handicap
Odds: 1.97 Pinnacle, 1.95 SBOBET
