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Two unlikely European hopefuls clash at the U-Power Stadium in a Serie A showdown, as Monza hosts Bologna on September 28, 2023, at 5:30 PM UK time. Despite both teams finding themselves in the bottom half of the table, their positive starts suggest they could be contenders for European qualification.

Analysis:

Monza, under the leadership of Raffaele Palladino, impressed last season by securing 52 points in their debut Serie A campaign. They’ve continued their fine form, collecting more points in their opening five games this season than in their first seven matches last year. Notably, they’ve faced tough opponents like Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Lazio, even managing to secure a draw in the capital. Monza’s unbeaten home record, including a win over Empoli and a draw with Lecce, is a source of optimism. Their upcoming fixtures against less formidable opponents could propel them up the standings.

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Bologna, too, had a challenging start, facing AC Milan, Juventus, and Napoli in their first five matches. However, they’ve shown resilience by remaining unbeaten in four games, including draws against Juventus and Napoli. With fixtures against Monza, Empoli, Frosinone, and Sassuolo on the horizon, Bologna’s performance in the next five matches will be crucial in determining their position after 10 games.

In terms of team news, both Monza and Bologna are expected to make some rotations due to the short turnaround between matches. Monza will miss Davide Bettella and Gianluca Caprari due to injuries, but Luca Caldirola returns from suspension. Danilo D’Ambrosio, a former Inter player, might feature in the starting lineup. On the other hand, Bologna’s only injury concern is Adama Soumaoro, who is recovering from an ACL injury. Thiago Motta might make changes to the lineup, possibly giving a full debut to Alexis Saelemaekers, an AC Milan loanee.

Prediction:

Despite their current lower positions in the table, both Monza and Bologna have shown resilience against top-tier opponents. Monza’s impressive home form and a relatively favorable upcoming fixture list could provide them with the opportunity to climb higher in the standings. Bologna, with their strong away record, will also be a tough opponent.

Goal.mu predicts: Monza 1-1 Bologna

Given their recent performances and the fact that they’ve both faced formidable opponents early in the season, a draw seems likely. Monza will aim to maintain their unbeaten home record, while Bologna will seek to extend their solid away form. The evenly matched teams are expected to share the spoils in what could be a closely contested encounter.

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