This Wednesday, Serie A football brings an exciting Derby dell'Appennino to the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, where an in-form Bologna will lock horns with a Fiorentina side showing signs of resurgence.
Positioned 5th and 8th respectively, both teams are eyeing European spots, making this clash pivotal for their season aspirations.
Under the guidance of Thiago Motta, Bologna has emerged as one of Serie A's surprise packages, blending flair with effectiveness to challenge the top of the table.
With back-to-back home wins against Sassuolo and Lecce, where they netted four goals in each match, Bologna has demonstrated a formidable attacking prowess.
Their record as the best home team in the league speaks volumes about the impressive work Motta has done with the squad.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, responded to their fluctuating form with a commanding 5-1 victory over Frosinone, reminding fans and critics alike of their potential.
Despite their struggles on the road, the Viola remains in contention for a European qualification spot, though finding a consistent run of form remains their challenge.
Recent trends highlight Bologna's strength at home, with the team unbeaten in their last 11 Serie A matches at the Renato Dall'Ara. Contrastingly, Fiorentina has found away victories hard to come by, with just one win in their last six Serie A games on the road.
The head-to-head record between these two sides has been tightly contested, with only one draw in their last six encounters and both teams finding the back of the net in four of those matches.
Team news sees Bologna without the services of Adama Soumaoro due to injury, and Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt after picking up a knock against Lecce.
Fiorentina's Vincenzo Italiano faces his own selection dilemmas; Gaetano Castrovilli remains sidelined with a long-term injury, while Dodô and Fabiano Parisi's participation hinges on late fitness tests. Additionally, Christian Kouamé's involvement is uncertain following his celebrations with the victorious AFCON 2023 squad.
As the Derby dell'Appennino approaches, Forebet predicts a closely contested draw, with both teams likely to score.
This match not only promises to be a thrilling encounter but also holds significant implications for the race for European places in Serie A.