Bologna are hoping to continue their fine form in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Empoli, scheduled for Wednesday, 24 April.
Will the hosts record another easy win in this tie or will Empoli at least make things somewhat interesting as they chase a three-goal deficit from the first leg? Read our Bologna vs Empoli prediction and preview to find out.
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Bologna vs Empoli prediction: Another win for Bologna
Key stats
- Bologna have gone under 2.5 total goals in four of their last five games.
- Empoli are winless in their last 20 games in all competitions, not counting their win over Juventus in Coppa Italia after penalties.
- Bologna have won seven of their last nine matches across the board.
Correct score prediction: Bologna 2-0 Empoli
Empoli upset Juventus on penalties to reach this stage of the competition, but their overall form is dreadful heading into this game, including the 3-0 loss at home in the first leg against Bologna.
So, Bologna are pretty much already in the final, but we still expect them to confirm it with another win over the struggling opponent.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bologna the odds-on favourites
- HOME: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.70%
- DRAW: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.80%
- AWAY: 13/2 (7.50) – 13.30%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Looking at these Bologna vs Empoli odds, we can see that the hosts are the expected winners and by a huge margin.
Considering the outcome of the first leg, the overall quality of both teams, and their form, it's clear why the hosts are such a big favourites in this game.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Bologna unbeaten lately
For five games in a row, Bologna haven't lost to Empoli, winning three of those duels. Meanwhile, these two teams are actually tied when it comes to their overall H2H record: 8-9-8.
Coppa Italia 01/04/25
Empoli
Bologna
Italy Serie A 25/01/25
Empoli
Bologna
Italy Serie A 31/08/24
Bologna
Empoli
Italy Serie A 15/03/24
Empoli
Bologna
Italy Serie A 01/10/23
Bologna
Empoli
Bologna preview: One leg in the final already
After struggling to find consistent form in the first half of the season, partially due to their participatino in the Champions League, Bologna have been great in the second half and especially in recent games, with seven wins in the last nine matches in all competitions.
This includes a convincing win over Empoli in the first leg of Coppa Italia semis, which likely ensures Bologna's spot in the final, as well as their win over Inter Milan over the weekend, which puts Bologna in fourth place and keeps them in the race for a place in the UCL for next season.
Lukasz Skorupski, Lewis Ferguson, Davide Calabria, and Nicolo Casale are out with injuries for Bologna.
Predicted lineup: Ravaglia (GK), De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Moro, Pobega, Orsolini, Fabbian, Cambiaghi & Castro
Italy Serie A 09/05/25
L AC Milan 3 Bologna 1 Italy Serie A 04/05/25
D Juventus 1 Bologna 1 Italy Serie A 28/04/25
D Udinese 0 Bologna 0 Coppa Italia 24/04/25
W Empoli 1 Bologna 2 Italy Serie A 20/04/25
W Inter Milan 0 Bologna 1
Empoli preview: End of their dream run in the Cup?
Given that Empoli travel to Bologna with a three-goal deficit, seeing them make the Coppa Italia final would be nothing short of a miracle, especially looking at their recent form. Empoli are winless for a long time and in Serie A they are currently in the relegation zone, although not yet written off.
Empoli are also dealing with many injuries, including Youssef Maleh, Nicolas Haas, Christian Kouame, Saba Sazonov, Szymon Zurkowski, and Pietro Pellegri, while Ardian Ismajli is doubtful.
Predicted lineup: Seghetti (GK), De Sciglio, Marianucci, Tosto, Gyasi, Henderson, Kovalenko, Pezzella, Solbakken, Fazzini & Colombo
Italy Serie A 10/05/25
W Parma 1 Empoli 2 Italy Serie A 04/05/25
L Lazio 1 Empoli 0 Italy Serie A 27/04/25
L Fiorentina 2 Empoli 1 Coppa Italia 24/04/25
L Bologna 2 Empoli 1 Italy Serie A 20/04/25
D Venezia 2 Empoli 2
Player to watch: Riccardo Orsolini
Orsolini is having another fine season with Bologna and we have gone with the Italian international as our player to watch against Empoli, especially since he managed to get on the scorsheet in their first duel in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Furthermore, the forward has scored 12 goals in Serie A this term, more than any other Bologna player, and that makes it three seasons in a row that Orsolini has reached double figures in the Italian top-flight.