Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
With their knockout stage dreams hanging in the balance, Celtic will travel to Emilia-Romagna when they meet Bologna on Thursday evening.
Bologna
Starting with the hosts, while Bologna might have entered November’s international break in the midst of a real purple patch, Vincenzo Italiano’s men have drastically failed to find any kind of stability over the past couple of months. Tumbling down the Serie A standings and desperately searching for a much-welcomed boost, the Greyhounds have recorded just a single win from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes. Suffering even more frustration over the weekend as the fell to a 2-1 defeat at home against Fiorentina, Thursday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their extended struggles in Emilia-Romagna. Along with registering just a sole point from their last four Serie A showdowns on home soil, Italiano’s side have also mustered just one win from any of their previous six showdowns in front of their own supporters.
Bologna Team News
Still sidelined after breaking his collarbone over in Saudi Arabia during Bologna’s Super Cup adventure, summer recruit and former Juventus star Federico Bernardeschi will not feature here. Dealing with a recent muscle issue, Colombian international Jhon Lucumi remains a major doubt.
Completing a permanent switch from Marseille ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, one-time Norwich youngster Jonathan Rowe could be handed a full recall. Despite still waiting to open his Europa League account, Santiago Castro should keep his spot leading the line.
Celtic
As for the visitors, watching Martin O’Neill complete a sensational and immediate return to Glasgow earlier in the month following Wilfried Nancy’s nightmare tenure, Celtic are desperately hoping for some essential stability. However, last seen over the weekend extending on their Scottish Cup adventure thanks to a 2-0 win away at sixth-tier outfit Auchinleck Talbot, the Scottish icons have won each of their previous three consecutive domestic battles by an aggregate score of 7-0. However, blown away last time out in Europa League action as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming at home against Roma, Celtic have a real battle on their hands in the race to punch a knockout stage ticket this year. Pencilled in as a major underdog contender when they travel to Emilia-Romagna on Thursday evening, O’Neill’s side could easily end the midweek fixtures sat outside the top-24.
Celtic Team News
Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list in Glasgow, Celtic will once again be without the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum Osmand and former Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho here. Likewise, O’Neill has confirmed that Portuguese winger Jota is still someway off making a first-team return.
Completing a loan switch from Premier League outfit Bournemouth earlier in the month, Mexican international Julian Araujo will start at right-back. Despite coming under plenty of recent scrutiny, Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel should return between the sticks.
Bologna vs Celtic Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in Emilia-Romagna will be the first competitive meeting between Bologna and Celtic.
- The Greyhounds have recorded just a single win from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
- Bologna have recorded just a sole win from any of their last six matchups in Emilia-Romagna.
- Celtic have recorded three consecutive victories across all competitions – their most fruitful spell since the start of December.
- Bologna have failed to register a clean sheet in front of their own supporters since returning from November’s international break.
Conclusion
While Bologna might open their penultimate Europa League group stage showdown pencilled in as a landslide favourite, the Greyhounds are at the heart of what has become a public rut. Likewise, mustering just a sole win from any of their previous six matchups in Emilia-Romagna, Thursday’s hosts have also shown some real issues at the back. Not recording a single clean sheet in front of their own supporters since returning from November’s international break, Celtic could be smelling the chance to spring a famous upset on foreign soil.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
