Liverpool return to Champions League action this week, with Italian underdogs Bologna visiting Anfield on Wednesday evening.
Arne Slot’s Reds began their European campaign with an impressive 3-1 win away to AC Milan on matchday one and will want to collect another three points here. We’ve dialled up our tipster Shane O’Brien to preview this one.
On Saturday, a second-half Mo Salah penalty secured the three points away at Wolves. Can they do something similar here? Check out Shane’s Liverpool v Bologna betting picks below.
Liverpool v Bologna Tips
Liverpool -1
Both teams to score: Yes
Bologna to commit 15+ fouls
Mohamed Salah to have 4+ shots
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 26/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Wednesday 2nd of October, 8pm
WHERE: Anfield, Liverpool, England
TV: TNT Sports 2
Liverpool -1
Liverpool have recovered well from their shock defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, winning four games on the bounce in all competitions.
The Reds have won seven out of eight games in all competitions under new manager Arne Slot and looked very impressive in their only Champions League game to date. They came from a goal down against another Italian side to record a deserved 3-1 win at AC Milan.
Bologna, on the other hand, have won just one game in all competitions this season and currently languish in 13th in Serie A.
The Italian side recorded a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk last time in their first-ever Champions League game. If they are to advance to the knockout stages, they will probably rely on taking points off the likes of Benfica, Sporting, and Monaco.
Wednesday’s trip to Anfield is a free hit for Bologna, and Liverpool should have little problem making it two wins from two.
Both teams to score: Yes
Liverpool may have won four games from four since that Forest defeat, scoring 13 goals in the process, but they have been far from convincing at the back.
They went behind in two games – against AC Milan and West Ham in the League Cup – and were fortunate not to concede early on against Bournemouth when Antoine Semenyo’s early goal was ruled out for offside.
They conceded a calamitous equaliser against Wolves on Saturday evening before a Mohamed Salah penalty restored their advantage. At the same time, the concession of Jarell Quansah’s own goal against West Ham resembled something out of a sketch.
Liverpool may stroll to victory, but they have been leaving themselves open at the back and may give Bologna a chance to score their first-ever Champions League goal.
Bologna to commit 15+ fouls
It is somewhat surprising that Liverpool are a much shorter price to commit 15 fouls than Bologna, considering the Italian side are, well, Italian.
It may be a cliché to assume that a Serie A team is adept in the dark arts, but they are undoubtedly happy to commit a high volume of fouls.
Even for an Italian side, their foul count is unnaturally high. Bologna are averaging 15.5 fouls per game in Serie A this season, the joint-highest in the league.
They have conceded at least 12 fouls in each game this season and committed 13 in their Champions League opener against Shakhtar.
Considering this is a tricky away fixture, it would not be surprising if they recorded even more fouls at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah to have 4+ shots
No Liverpool player comes close to Mo Salah when trying their luck. The Egyptian forward has averaged 3.3 shots per game in the league for Liverpool this season, a full shot per game ahead of the next-highest average.
Salah also attempted five efforts on goal in Liverpool’s win over Milan without finding the back of the net.
He will surely be desperate to open his Champions League account for the season, especially considering he has not scored in the competition since December 2022.
He is decent value to try his luck at least four times.
Liverpool v Bologna Bet Builder Tips
Liverpool -1
Both teams to score: yes
Bologna to commit 15+ fouls
Mohamed Salah to have 4+ shots
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 26/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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