Serie A: Milan’s Scudetto Dream is Still Alive

AC Milan vs Bologna

For much of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign the race for the Scudetto has had two main players; and Juventus and Inter Milan sit proudly first and second.

But Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan, who have been watching from a distance, have suddenly come into view after a sequence of four league wins has brought them to within seven points of leaders Juve. It’s a fair gap to make up but it isn’t insurmountable and, should the margin be reduced to three or four points within the next few weeks, it will get very interesting.

The 2022 title winners have a good test of their title credentials coming up when Serie A: Milan vs Bologna is the main attraction at the San Siro on Saturday. The visitors, managed by Thiago Motta have been in the race for European places and will be keen to upset their hosts having fallen off the pace a little.

Motta is facing the biggest challenge of the campaign so far. His team comes into this game without a victory in four, losing at Cagliari last week while I Rossoneri won a five goal thriller away to Udinese; and the Milan vs Bologna betting odds say they are about to make it five wins on the bounce.

Talking Points

Milan’s multiple threat

I Rossoneri grabbed a last minute winner at Udinese last week as 23 year old winger Noah Okafor struck the dramatic blow. The Swiss star arrived in Milan in the summer in a switch from Red Bull Salzburg and he’s put in some eye-catching performances, scoring four goals. And Okafor is one of a number of attacking threats at Pioli’s disposal with a front line led by the evergreen Olivier Giroud, who has scored ten goals and made seven assists as the third top scorer in the league.

Rafael Leao has been one of the best creative players in Serie A over the past couple of seasons but, in the summer, Pioli added more attacking flair, bringing in Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus Cheek from Chelsea and striker Luka Jovic from Fiorentina as cover for Giroud.

When Milan met Roma two weeks ago the outcome was the departure of Giallorossi boss Jose Mourinho as Pioli’s team ran out 3-1 winners. Bologna is the next top ten challenger to visit and I think they may suffer the same fate.

Motta’s Bologna look for a restart

I Rossoblu had a great first half of the campaign and a lot of the credit goes to head coach Motta, who certainly isn’t under pressure from the club’s owners.

Motta was a combative midfielder with Inter Milan and Italy and he knows this league inside out and. Still only 41 years of age he’s already won a reputation as an innovative manager who’s team plays attractive, fluid football, though they can sometimes be caught out in defence, shipping five goals in their last two away games, to Cagliari and Udinese.

Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is in his second season at Bologna and the 22 year old has broken through with seven goals and three assists and he will be a shoe-in to start on Saturday. And while Zirkzee has grabbed the headlines, the manager can be credited with bringing in some quality players who have played big roles so far. Netherlands centre back Sam Beukema, signed from AZ Alkmaar, has been the standout defender and Motta can rely on him to give Giroud a good game, while Swiss star man Remo Freuler, on loan from Nottingham Forest, is a strong defensive midfielder who will get stuck in and give his defence some protection.

With a ninth placed finish last season Bologna have punched above their weight so far in this campaign and they will be pleased with how they have performed so far. But if they slip below ninth there will be a deflated feeling at the club and Motta will be keen to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

History

I Rossoneri have had the better of the head to head Milan vs Bologna results over the past three decades, winning 31 and losing six and Pioli’s side won 2-0 when the two teams met in Bologna back in August.

In terms of recent form Milan are stronger, with five wins and one defeat from the last six while Bologna have won two, drawn one and lost three.

The San Siro has been a tough place to get a result; Milan have won eight of their ten home league games and Bologna have not picked up a win on any of their last seven visits.

Betting Tip

Milan are clear favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.71 with the draw at 3.27 and a Bologna win is 4.25. I can’t see anything other than a home in an attack versus defence affair where I believe Milan’s strikers will have too much for their visitors.

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.