Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Coppa Italia match.
Bologna will host the match and bring a commanding three-goal advantage into the second leg after a 3:0 win over their regional rivals. On paper, Empoli appear to face an uphill battle in mounting any kind of comeback.
Bologna
Bologna are enjoying a strong run of form. They are in the hunt for a Champions League berth and currently occupy fourth place in Serie A, though they are feeling the pressure from both Juventus and AS Roma. With the calendar offering little respite, Bologna have been pushed to their limits. Following their convincing cup performance against Empoli, they faced the league’s top three sides. They drew 1:1 at home with Napoli, secured a narrow 1:0 win over Inter Milan, and lost 0:2 away to Atalanta. These high-intensity matches have demanded a lot from the squad physically.
Empoli
Empoli have had a very different campaign. The Tuscan outfit are embroiled in a relegation battle, currently just one point adrift of 17th place—the final safe spot. While there is still hope of survival, the margin for error is razor-thin, and errors have been all too common. Empoli haven’t tasted victory in the league since 8 December, managing just six points in 18 matches. Despite these grim numbers, Empoli have proven capable of delivering under pressure. Their resilience was on full display in the quarter-finals, where they held Juventus to a 1:1 draw and progressed via a penalty shootout.
Bologna vs Empoli Prediction
Bologna have one foot in the final, but the approach they take to this second leg remains to be seen. Will they play it safe, or will Empoli put up more of a fight? Given Bologna’s congested fixture list and a key league match on the horizon, it’s likely the hosts will rest key players and adopt a cautious game plan. In that context, we expect Empoli to stay competitive and avoid a heavy loss, likely keeping the margin within a single goal.
