Liverpool vs Bologna - Champions League: TV channel, prediction, team news and lineups
By Ben Gray
Having already claimed victory over one Italian side, namely AC Milan, on matchday one, Liverpool are confident of a similar outcome when Bologna visit Merseyside on Wednesday night.
Liverpool vs Bologna Preview
Arne Slot's start to life as Liverpool manager has been near-flawless so far, looking to claim another victory here. At the weekend, the Reds went top of the Premier League table by beating Wolves 2-1 at Molineux, with Ibrahima Konaté breaking the deadlock, before Mohamed Salah won it from the penalty spot. That made it five wins out of six in the league, while Slot's side have also smashed West Ham 5-1 in the EFL Cup, having also began their Champions League campaign with a come from behind 3-1 victory in Milan; Konaté and then Virgil van Dijk both heading home at San Siro, before Dominik Szoboszlai made the points secure. So, as they seek to remain in the top eight of the gigantic Champions League league table, most expect the Reds will collect three more points here.
As for Bologna, this is just their second-ever European Cup campaign, their previous appearance in the competition coming all the way back in 1964, dumped out in the preliminary round by Anderlecht following a coin toss six decades ago. In fact, I Rossoblù had not featured in any UEFA competition since the start of new the millennium but, after finishing fifth in Serie A last season, are back competing on the continent. In their matchday one clash, Vincenzo Italiano's team held Shakhtar Donetsk to a goalless draw in the pouring rain at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, indebted to goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski for the point that they earned, given that he saved a fourth minute penalty. Draws have very much been the theme of Bologna's season so far, with five of their seven fixtures resulting in stalemates, most-recently holding Atalanta on Saturday night, heartbreakingly conceding in stoppage time. Fair to say, the visitors would very much settle for a draw at Anfield, although they're very likely to get it.
Liverpool vs Bologna Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Liverpool Form Guide: WWWWL
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-2 Liverpool
- Liverpool 5-1 West Ham United
- Liverpool 3-0 Bournemouth
- AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool
- Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest
Bologna Form Guide: DWDDD
- Bologna 1-1 Atalanta
- Monza 1-2 Bologna
- Bologna 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
- Como 2-2 Bologna
- Bologna 1-1 Empoli
Liverpool Team News
Alisson returned in goal at the weekend, having sat out the win over Bournemouth, meaning Harvey Elliott is currently the only first team player sidelined. Darwin Núñez didn't travel to Wolverhampton due to illness, but is expected to be back in contention for this one, albeit on the bench, with Diogo Jota leading the line. Arne Slot made nine outfield changes against West Ham last mid-week, but was still able to name a strong side, emphasising the depth at his disposal, so it'll be interesting to see how much he rotates for this one.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Bologna: (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Luis Díaz.
Liverpool Player to Watch vs Bologna
During his time with Roma, Mohamed Salah scored five goals in just three appearances against Bologna, including a hat-trick at the Olimpico in 2016. Having netted his fifth of the season on Saturday, and given that the Egyptian has bagged 42 goals in 67 Champions League appearances since arriving at Liverpool, it's a pretty safe assumption that he'll add to all of these tallies.
Bologna Team News
Captain Lewis Ferguson as well as Oussama El Azzouzi and Nicolò Cambiaghi are all injured long term, while striker Santiago Castro is a doubt, having hobbled off injured after scoring on Saturday. Jhon Lucumí was sent off against Atalanta at the weekend although, of course, that suspension does not apply here.
Bologna predicted lineup vs Liverpool: (4-3-3): Skorupski, Posch, Beukema, Lucumí, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Aebischer, Fabbian; Orsolini, Ndoye, Dallinga.
Bologna Player to Watch vs Liverpool
If Santiago Castro isn't fit enough to start, Dan Ndoye could be the most-likely man to score Bologna's first-ever Champions League goal. He's yet to get off the mark for I Rossoblù this season, but was a key figure in their success last season, also impressing for Switzerland during the Euros, on target against Germany back in June.
Liverpool vs Bologna Prediction
We're forecasting a very comfortable Liverpool victory. The Reds have scored at least thrice in four of their last six games, including both of the last two at Anfield, while Bologna are struggling for victories, their sole win this season coming at Monza, smashed 3-0 by current Serie A leaders Napoli in August, with a similar scoreline likely on Merseyside: Liverpool 3-0 Bologna.
Liverpool vs Bologna FAQs - Champions League
How to watch Liverpool vs Bologna Champions League game on TV channel?
Liverpool vs Bologna Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 2
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Liverpool vs Bologna Champions League game on live streaming?
Liverpool vs Bologna Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: discovery+
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Liverpool vs Bologna in the Champions League?
Liverpool vs Bologna takes place on Wednesday 2 October 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (ET) & 12:00 (PDT).
Read more Champions League news, transfer news and rumours...
feed