Napoli vs Bologna Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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It has been a tough start to life in Naples for Massimiliano Allegri as the four-time Italian champions Napoli now face Bologna at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Kick-off date/time:
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Napoli preview: Poor run
Massimiliano Allegri failed to get AC Milan a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification in Serie A last season but Napoli still opted to replace title-winning coach Antonio Conte with the experienced manager.
Allegri began with a 2-0 win against now still pointless Genoa but they have since lost to Como and Internazionale, being 2-0 up in the latter, ahead of a 1-0 loss at home to Arsenal in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
Bologna preview: Slow start
A decent summer of business would have suggested Bologna should challenge for Europe again this season now under the management of former Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco but it has been a slow start to their campaign.
After a 1-0 loss to Lazio in their opening game, Bologna have since again suffered a defeat by the same scoreline against Atalanta before an entertaining 2-2 draw with Sassuolo at the Renato Dall’Ara last weekend.
Napoli team news: Meret now out
Alex Meret made some good saves in the first half against Arsenal but was forced off through injury at half-time, while Alisson Santos is also now a major doubt for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Rafa Marin, Mathias Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, De Bruyne; Politano, Hojlund, David Neres
Unavailable: Meret (Injured), Buongiorno (Injured), Marianucci (Injured), Anguissa (Injured), McTominay (Illness), Lang (Injured), Giovane (Injured)
Questionable: Alisson Santos (Injured)
Bologna team news: Confirmed absentees
Bologna head to Naples with a couple of confirmed injury absentees this weekend with midfielder Oussama El Azzouzi still sidelined alongside versatile forward Riccardo Orsolini.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Holm, Heggem, Theate, Alhassane; Ferguson, Pobega; Bernadeschi, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Piccoli
Unavailable: El Azzouzi (Injured), Orsolini (Injured)
Questionable:
Napoli vs Bologna prediction
Domenico Tedesco is known for being a more conservative coach and that did help him out when in charge of Schalke at the start of his managerial career but he has generally struggled since that time in Gelsenkirchen. Napoli now have the ultra-conservative Allegri in charge of what looks like an enterprising and attacking squad so another low-scoring encounter seems likely for this one in Naples.
Napoli vs Bologna tip: Under 2.5 goals
