Serie A | Gameweek 17

Dec 21, 2024 at 2pm UK

Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Torino vs Bologna

Match preview

Prior to the visit of Empoli, Vanoli and his players must have been wondering where their next points were going to come from, having gone six Serie A games without a maximum of points (four defeats).

Before Che Adams scored the only goal of the game, the Granata's lack of goalscoring threat was also a cause for concern, with the Turin giants firing blanks in five games during that spell and only scoring in a 1-1 draw with Monza in November.

That success was the Maroon's first Serie A win since 25 October, another 1-0 victory over Como, and they are looking for back-to-back wins in the top flight for the first time since August, when Vanoli's men defeated Atalanta (2-1) and Venezia (1-0).

Although Torino have won four games this term, each of those victories has come by a single goal and the hosts have not won in front of their home fans since beating Cesc Fabregas' newly promoted side two months ago.

Despite losing two of their next three games in their own backyard to Fiorentina and Napoli, both 1-0 defeats came on the back of a 1-1 draw with Monza, highlighting the closeness of their fixtures.

While the Bull's fighting qualities are undeniable, the 11th-placed Granata will be hoping that their recent victory over Empoli can provide the impetus they need to turn their fortunes around.

Getting back to winning ways will be far from easy for Vanoli's men this weekend, as they host one of Serie A's in-form sides in Bologna.

After a slow start under former Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Italiano, the Rossoblu's form has steadily improved, as evidenced by their 16 points since the 10th round of matches, level on points with leaders Inter Milan and only behind Atalanta BC (21).

However, the Emilia-Romagna outfit have dropped points on the road, losing 3-0 at Lazio and drawing 2-2 at Juventus despite leading 2-0.

While Italiano's men have won three straight on home soil, recent away results have threatened to undermine their undeniable upturn in form, and the Greyhounds will be looking to avoid a third away defeat.

Although a win for Bologna (25 points) this weekend will not see them leapfrog sixth-placed Juventus (28), defeat could see them drop to eighth if AC Milan (23) win at Hellas Verona.

Recent Performance

Torino Serie A form:LLDLDW

Bologna Serie A form:WWLWDW

Bologna form (all competitions):LWWDDW

Team News

Torino centre-back Saul Coco will miss Saturday's game after picking up his fifth yellow card against Empoli, while Duvan Zapata, Emirhan Ilkhan and Perr Schuurs are all out with knee injuries.

All four of Adams' goals in Serie A have come after half-time, three of them as a substitute, and his impact after the break could be decisive this weekend.

Although Bologna have no suspended players, Juan Miranda and Michel Aebischer (muscle) will be assessed before travelling to Turin. However, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Oussama El Azzouzi (both knee), Dan Ndoye (ankle) and Riccardo Orsolini (muscle) are all absent.

With his goal against Fiorentina, Jens Odgaard (three goals) has already surpassed his tally from last season and will be looking to add to his tally in Turin.

Possible starting lineup

Torino possible starting lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Masina; Pedersen, Ricci, Linetty, Ginetis, Sosa; Karamoh, Sanabria

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Holm; Freuler, Pobega; Odgaard, Ferguson, Dominguez; Castro