Bologna vs Torino: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Raffaele Palladino is set to make his return to Italian football as the new head coach of Bologna, and his debut fixture pits him against an opponent the Rossoblù have historically handled with ease. In their last six meetings with Torino, Bologna have never lost, winning four of those encounters.

Tactical Analysis: Bologna

Bologna didn't wait for the international break to pull the trigger on Domenico Tedesco. After just four matchdays, the German tactician was shown the door following a solitary draw with Sassuolo (2-2) and defeats against Lazio (0-1), Atalanta (0-1), and Napoli. While the first three outings showed flickers of life, the Napoli performance was a masterclass in dull, directionless football—even compared to Massimiliano Allegri's ultra-cautious side. The real reason for the swift divorce, however, was the loss of the dressing room. Just as with the Belgian national team, Tedesco had alienated his experienced players.

Enter Raffaele Palladino, who didn't stay unemployed long after leaving Atalanta. Though the 42-year-old has yet to spend more than a single season at any of his previous clubs, he installed quality football both in Bergamo and at Fiorentina, guiding each to European qualification. Palladino typically favors a three-center-back system and is expected to immediately reshape his new team into that formation, swapping midfielder Amondaraín for Czech defender Robert Vitík. Another likely change is the return of first-choice goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski, who failed to find common ground with the former coach.

Tactical Analysis: Torino

Ignazio Abate may soon follow Tedesco out the door, as Torino have managed only three points after four rounds—a win over the already-troubled Fiorentina of the dismissed Fabio Grosso (2-1). President Urbano Cairo surely expected more when he swapped the reliable mid-table specialist Roberto D’Aversa for a young, promising coach who had made his name in Serie B. On the pitch, there is little to praise about the Granata so far; in all four league matches, they have lost the expected goals (xG) battle.

Torino also have personnel headaches. Key central midfielder Cesare Casadei, the link between defense and attack, is sidelined, forcing Abate to deploy the far less polished Gvidas Gineitis in his place. The attacking line has also been hit, losing Scottish striker Che Adams—Torino’s top scorer this season with half of the team’s goals—to injury.

Predicted Lineups

Bologna (3-4-3): Skorupski – Vitík, Høggh, Theate – Holm, Pobega, Ferguson, Miranda – Bernardeschi, Piccoli, Cambiaghi Unavailable: Orsolini, El Azzouzi, Dovbyk, Zortea, Happonen (all injured) Head coach: Raffaele Palladino

Torino (3-5-2): Perry – Comuzzo, Ismajli, Kemert – Fortini, Mandragora, Fitz-Jim, Gineitis, Cacciamani – Vlašić, Simeone Unavailable: Israel, Pellegri, Casadei, Adams (all injured) Head coach: Ignazio Abate

Referee: Marco Guida

In the previous Serie A campaign, Guida ranked among the top ten officials for average yellow cards per match (3.94), so leniency is hardly his trademark. Over his last five top-flight fixtures, he has handed out at least four yellow cards on all but one occasion.

Prediction and Bet

Main pick: Bologna to win @ 1.96

Torino represent the ideal opponent for Palladino’s debut as Bologna boss. The visitors are a thoroughly uninspired side. Abate tries to implement a high defensive line and aggressive pressing, but his players execute it clumsily, leaving them exposed to quick counterattacks in nearly every match. Moreover, Torino underwent a major defensive overhaul over the summer, leaving the backline lacking cohesion and allowing opposing forwards far too much freedom inside the box. On-loan Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perry has looked shaky, failing to put in a flawless performance in any of his appearances for the Granata. Add Bologna’s overall class advantage and the surge of positive energy from swapping an unpopular coach, and a home victory looks well within reach.

Goals prediction: Both teams to score @ 1.87

That said, Torino are likely to find the net themselves. Palladino has never been known for quickly organizing a solid defense, and under Tedesco, Bologna conceded in every single match. Torino, meanwhile, have traded goals with their opponents in three of their four Serie A games this season. A bet on both teams to score carries plenty of logic at 1.87.