Bologna vs Monaco Prediction 05.11.2024 | Champions League

• Competition: Champions League
• Date: 05.11.2024
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
• Venue: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara (Bologna)

After a two-week break, the Champions League competition resumes.

Bologna hasn't had the best start to its debut campaign in Europe's top club competition. After securing a point in their opener against Shakhtar at home, they suffered two consecutive defeats, both by 2-0, in away matches against Liverpool and Aston Villa in England. On top of that, their performances in Serie A have been underwhelming, with a string of draws raising legitimate concerns about whether new coach Vincenzo Italiano is the right man for the job. However, two consecutive league victories have hinted that Bologna might be emerging from their slump. First, they claimed a comfortable 2-0 win away to Cagliari, and then, over the weekend, they narrowly overcame Lecce with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Once again, Riccardo Orsolini was the hero for his team, scoring in his third consecutive league match.

On the other hand, Monaco can be more than satisfied with their start to the season. After three Champions League games, they have collected seven points and sit near the top of the table. Their win against Barcelona signaled their readiness to achieve big results, and their 5-1 thrashing of Red Star Belgrade in the previous round showcased their focus and determination in every match. However, a string of injuries and a somewhat thin squad have taken their toll in Ligue 1, where Monaco suffered back-to-back defeats against Nice and Angers. Despite these setbacks, they still occupy a strong second place in the league standings, which is more than respectable considering PSG’s dominance in French football in recent years.

Bologna vs Monaco key betting facts: UNDER 2.5 GOALS

Bologna's excellent results from last season, which earned them a spot in this year's Champions League, were built on a foundation of solid, disciplined defending. Despite a coaching change over the summer, the plan was to stick with this style of play. Early in the season, Bologna struggled to find their identity under the new manager, but their recent performances in Serie A are giving fans hope that the team will improve as the season progresses.

In their first three Champions League matches, Bologna’s lack of experience in Europe’s top competition was evident. They weren’t outplayed in any of those games, but still only managed to come away with one point. This match will be another tough test for them. Monaco is in strong form, but they are dealing with a number of injury problems, which could give the Italian side a chance to dictate the pace of the game.

Monaco has shown impressive attacking power in previous matches, but their recent Ligue 1 games have exposed some vulnerabilities. You can be sure Bologna’s staff has studied those weaknesses and will look to exploit them. This likely won’t be a high-scoring match, with both teams approaching cautiously.