Bologna v Lille

Lille travel to Bologna in their fifth Champions League match of the season in what could be a closely contested affair. The hosts have struggled in Europe this season and are yet to find the back of the net in the competition, meanwhile, Lille are in the middle of the pack with seven points to their name.

⭐ Bologna v Lille Best Bets

Bologna’s matches have been far from thrilling, with at least one side failing to score in seven of their last nine games, including five of the most recent six. This lack of action aligns with their inability to generate attacking output, with only one of their last 12 fixtures featuring both teams creating more than one expected goal. To compound matters, Bologna remain the only team yet to score in the Champions League this season.

Lille have shown similar tendencies, with 58.33% of their domestic league matches seeing at least one team kept off the scoresheet. A further two of their Champions League games have ended in similar fashion. Their games have produced the third-fewest goals in Ligue 1, averaging just 2.5 per match, underscoring their defensive focus and limited offensive output.

👕 Bologna v Lille Predicted XI

🔍 Bologna v Lille Player to Watch

🔵 Riccardo Orsolini

Orsollini has been a standout performer for Bologna in attack this season, averaging 1.15 shots on target per 90 despite the team’s overall struggles in front of goal. This figure was impacted by a slow start to the campaign for the Italian winger, but his recent performances suggest he has rediscovered his form.

Over his last five appearances (60+ minutes), Orsollini has averaged 1.6 shots on target per 90, testing the keeper at least once in each match and scoring four goals during this stretch. He also featured in Bologna’s Champions League clashes against Liverpool and Aston Villa where he registered a shot on target in both games.

Lille’s defensive record offers further encouragement, with the French outfit having conceded at least five shots on target in three of their four Champions League matches, suggesting Orsollini is unlikely to be short of opportunities.

Bologna v Lille

Wednesday 20:00

Riccardo Orsolini to have 1+ Shots on Target

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📂 Bologna v Lille Cheat Sheet

The Champions League continues to heat up in gameweek five and our Football Betting Predictions are crafted to help you in your picks across all the action.

As well as coverage from this match, be sure to check out our Celtic v Club Brugge Betting Preview and Celtic v Club Brugge Bet Builder Predictions too.

Check out our Wednesday Champions League Accumulator Tips and Champions League Bet Builder Tips, as well as our selection of Both Teams To Score Tips, along with player prop market predictions to fold into bet builders, like our Player Shots on Target Tips, Fouls Betting Tips, and Anytime Goalscorer Tips.

💻 Bologna v Lille Form and Tactics

Bologna are likely to set up in Vincenzo Italiano’s customary 4-2-3-1; his appointment was a surprise given his reputable attacking-minded style is in stark contrast to Thiago Motta’s more defence-oriented approach, which saw Bologna excel last season.

Despite this, we haven’t seen Bologna flourish offensively with the Italian outfit scoring just four goals in their seven home games since Italiano’s appointment.

He’s placed a much greater emphasis on possession-based play with Bologna retaining over 50% of the ball in nine of their ten league games with only Roma, Lazio and Atalanta controlling more of the ball.

This is likely to dictate the flow of the game, as Bologna aim to break Lille down slowly and methodically while the visitors aim to hit Bologna on the counter utilising swift, transitional moves, and force individual mistakes through their high press.

Bruno Génésio’s side have the fourth lowest PPDA in Ligue 1 and their press is known for it’s coordination and timing which could disrupt Bologna’s style of play.

This has worked to great effect for Lille who are now unbeaten in eleven games, having dispatched the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid along the way. In over half of those clashes, Lille have retained the minority of possession.

Either which way, this game is likely to be tightly contested and perhaps low-scoring.

🏁 Bologna v Lille Ref Watch

• Referee: Michael Oliver
• Michael Oliver has been handed the responsibility of running this affair which tends to indicate not too many fouls will be awarded, as per his 22.92 career average.
• It’s a similar story for yellow cards with the English referee averaging no more than 3.37 per game although that has risen to 4.11 this season.
• One notable feature of his refereeing style is a lack of reluctance to point to the spot; both this season and over his career, Michael Oliver has averaged 0.32 penalties awarded per game.

Our guide on How To Use A Cheat Sheet is the perfect way to get involved with our Bet Builder Stats tool, the best freely available data source for punting on the Champions League.

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Also check out our list of Free Champions League Betting Offers, and expert guides including xG In Football, are also available to help you up your punting game.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.

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