Juventus manager Thiago Motta takes on his former club Bologna this weekend.
Juventus vs Bologna bets
- Draw – 5/2 with Midnite
- Under 2.5 goals – 8/13 with Midnite
- Second half higher scoring – 23/20 with Midnite
Juventus vs Bologna odds
Find the latest match odds for Juventus vs Bologna. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Juventus vs Bologna predictions
Bologna were one of the stories of the Serie A season in 2023/24. Under the leadership of Thiago Motta, the club from the culinary capital of Italy finished fifth and qualified for the Champions League.
It was a tremendous achievement. When Thiago Motta was handed the reins the previous season, it looked like Bologna would be involved in a relegation battle.
Prior to last term, they had not finished in the top five of the top flight since way back in 1970/71. They lost just six games last time out; only Inter and Juventus were defeated less often.
That accomplishment earned Thiago Motta the job at Juve, who decided it was time to move on from Max Allegri.
His replacement was expected to get the Biaconeri back in the title race while also introducing a more attractive style of play. The jury is out on both counts.
In fairness to Thiago Motta, it is still early days. This was always likely to be a season of transition for the Bianconeri, not least because Allegri’s brand of football is very different to his own.
The Brazilian-Italian would no doubt point out that his team remain unbeaten in Serie A after 14 rounds of fixtures, while they are well positioned to qualify for the knockout phase play-offs in the Champions League.
However, it is fair to say the Juventus fans have mixed views on what they have seen so far. Their team may be undefeated, but they sit sixth in Serie A having drawn eight of their first 14 matches.
Even more damning is the view held by many that the football is even worse than it was under Allegri.
Juventus are undoubtedly a more proactive team these days, but their possession is often sterile: they rank first for passes but only 10th for shots. Thiago Motta’s critics allege that the coach appears to believe that keeping the ball is an end in itself.
With his former club Bologna heading to Turin this week, Thiago Motta could really do with a win. Going unbeaten but finishing outside the top four would not represent a good season for Italy’s most successful club.
Juventus vs Bologna betting tips
Juventus could do with a victory when they host Bologna in Serie A this weekend.
Draw
Juventus need to start turning draws into wins if they want to keep in touch with the likes of Napoli and Atalanta at the top of the division.
But they could be frustrated by a Bologna side who have done a pretty solid job of moving on from Thiago Motta. Vincenzo Italiano is now in charge of the Rossoblu, who would move to within just two points of Juve with a win here.
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Bologna also have a habit of drawing matches, having done so in six of their 13 league assignments up to now.
True, none of their last five Serie A games have ended with the scores level, but Italiano would definitely settle for a point at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus will inevitably dominate possession, but that does not mean they will emerge triumphant.
Tip a draw at 5/2 with Midnite
Under 2.5 goals
As we mentioned above, Juventus have not had enough of a cutting edge this term. Their control of the ball has brought more defensive than attacking benefits up to now.
Nine of their last 12 games in Serie A have featured under 2.5 goals and there is every reason to believe this one will follow that pattern.
With 18 goals to their name, Bologna are not exactly free-scoring either. What is more, Italiano will preach the importance of defensive solidity first and foremost.
If Bologna get men behind the ball and remain in a compact shape, Juventus may not have the guile to break them down.
This could be a rather attritional affair as Thiago Motta meets his former club.
Back under 2.5 goals at 8/13 with Midnite
Second half higher scoring
If there are to be goals on Saturday, they are more likely to come after half-time than before it.
Second halves feature more goals generally. Legs and minds tire as the clock ticks down, while the team that is behind in the game tends to take more risks as time goes on.
There have been 24 goals in the second half of Bologna’s 13 games in 2024/25, compared to just 10 before half-time.
Juve’s encounters have actually contained more first-half goals, but only by a narrow margin.
This game will probably be more open in the second half, particularly if Juventus are level or behind at the break.
Select the second half to be higher scoring at 23/20 with Midnite
How to watch Juventus vs Bologna
- Location: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy.
- Date and time: Saturday 7th December, 5pm.
- How to watch: OneFootball.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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