Empoli - Bologna - Tips by users and experts on football, 9 December 2018: Italy. Serie A

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25 January 2025, 19:45Italy. Serie A

Empoli vs Bologna

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Empoli Win • 2.09

Sunday brings a huge relegation battle at the foot of Serie A, as Empoli host Bologna. The pair are narrowly separated in the table, and they come into this one aiming for a result which would rock their opponents. Recent results have sparked life into the pair, but who will come out on top in this relegation six-pointer? The hosts will know that they can’t afford to drop points against a close rival, while Bologna will be hoping to boost some dodgy away from when they make this trip.

Empoli have seen their fortunes improve since they hired Giuseppe Iachini, who has yet to lose since taking over. The new boss has changed how Empoli play and their more direct style has brought goals so far. That was seen in a 2-2 draw at SPAL last time out, a game which showed signs of progress for the Azzurri. They need to make the most of winnable fixtures like this one, and they will be putting pressure on themselves to pull off a result which will add to the pressure on their opponents.

Bologna have slipped into the bottom three, which was the scenario former boss Roberto Donadoni managed to avoid for so long. However, his style of football didn’t go down too well with those in charge, forcing a change. The move for AC Milan great Pippo Inzaghi has seen them lose their status as a hard to beat side, and now they’re third from bottom and heading back to Serie B – the division which they plucked Inzaghi from.

The hosts are out to pile the pressure on Inzaghi, who is already being linked with the sack. The Azzurri have seen the benefits of that move themselves, and they’ve made themselves real candidates for safety. It remains to be seen if this is a real turnaround, or a new manager bounce. Either way, they need to make the most of it – and it comes at the perfect time ahead of a clash with their relegation rivals.

A win here is huge for either side, but it’s hard to see how Bologna shake their travel sickness for this one. They’re yet to win on the road this season, losing four of their seven matches away from home. Only Chievo have a worse record this term, and that has pushed the Rossoblu into the danger zone. Another defeat here adds to the pressure, and we see Empoli coming away with a win. They’ve won back to back matches at their own ground, and with Iachini turning things around we think they’re great value to take the points.