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Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bologna prediction for Europa League night
The Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bologna prediction for January 29, 2026 (20:00 GMT) comes with a strange backdrop: one team playing “at home” away from home, the other trying to turn pressure into points. The Europa League league phase ends here, and while Bologna still have something to gain in the standings, Maccabi are playing for pride, minutes, and a better final memory.
Setting the scene: neutral ground, real stakes
Maccabi continue to host European fixtures at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia, and that neutral venue matters. It softens the usual home boost, but it also gives them a familiar routine after months of doing the same thing. On paper, the gap is huge: Maccabi’s squad is valued around €27.20m, Bologna’s around €289.50m, which is reflected in the betting odds (Home 10.0, Draw 5.6, Away 1.34).
Maccabi in transition, Bologna in a hurry
Maccabi arrive bottom of the league phase (36th) with one point and three straight competitive losses, including a derby defeat to Hapoel Tel Aviv. The bigger story is on the touchline: after Zarko Lazetic’s dismissal following a 1-0 loss to Freiburg, Dan Roman steps up as acting head coach. Expect a calmer, more conservative plan rather than a grand reinvention.
Bologna, coached by Vincenzo Italiano, are 15th with 12 points and already through to the knockout play-offs. Still, they need a win to keep any hope of a top-eight finish and direct Round of 16 qualification. Their recent results have been messy, including a 3.2 loss at Genoa, but their approach rarely changes: front-foot football and lots of shooting.
Team news that shapes the tactics
- Maccabi absences: Denny Gropper (ACL), Nicolaescu, and Belich are out; Tyrese Asante and Ali Camara face late tests.
- Maccabi key outlets: Helio Varela for transitions, Ben Lederman for the first clean pass forward.
- Bologna absences: Federico Bernardeschi is out (shoulder/collarbone), plus Vitík and Lucumí; Helland is suspended; Castro has been ill.
- Bologna spine: Ciro Immobile’s box movement, Lewis Ferguson’s running power, and Skorupski in goal.
How the game may look (and why goals can happen)
This is the first competitive head to head between the clubs, but the style contrast is clear. Roman is likely to set Maccabi in a compact 4-2-3.1, aiming to survive waves and steal something through counters or set-pieces. Bologna will try to pin them back; they’ve attempted more shots than any team in the league phase (1.34), and Maccabi have conceded 19 goals so far.
NerdyTips angles: predictions, total goals, and value
Our Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Bologna prediction doesn’t ignore the market: Bologna are deserved favorites at 1.34. But the AI models see a match where pressure creates openings at both ends, even if possession stays heavily Italian.
AI projections and what they suggest for betting
- Best bet: HS (Maccabi to score) at 1.8, confidence 5.0/10.
- 1X2 prediction: 1X at 3.1, confidence 2.0/10 (low confidence, high risk).
- Total goals: Over 2.5 at 1.65, confidence 5.0/10.
- Correct score: 2-2 (HT 1-1).
Projected match flow supports that “Maccabi to score” angle: Bologna are forecast to dominate the ball (30% vs 70%) and shots (5 vs 20), but domination can also mean defensive exposure if the favorite pushes numbers forward. With only 5 home shots predicted, Maccabi’s path is likely one good counter or one set-piece. And Bologna have shown they can be surprised—just ask Inter, who were held to an unexpected 1-1 on December 19 despite the big price on Bologna.
Discipline and game state may matter too: 3 yellow cards projected for Maccabi versus 1 for Bologna hints at long spells without the ball and plenty of emergency defending. If Maccabi nick the first goal, this could get uncomfortable for the favorite fast, making the over 2.5 total goals feel very live.
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Warning
Best Tip odd is moving up from 1.54
Best Tip
The best betting football prediction for Maccabi vs BolognaHS -125
Maccabi is expected to score at least 1 goal with odds of -1251x2 Tip
1X 250
Maccabi to win or drawTotal Goals
Over 2.5 -161
At least 3 goals will be scored in the matchBoth Teams To Score
Yes 105
Both teams are expected to scoreBet Builder Tip
1X&O1.5 311
Home win/draw and over 1.5 goalsCorrect Score
2:2
Stats Predictions
Average / Match
Overview Last 10 Matches
Head to Head
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0
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1
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Recent Matches of Maccabi
| 28 Apr | W |
Maccabi
| 1 |
Hapoel B
| 0 |
| 25 Apr | W |
Maccabi Haifa
| 1 |
Maccabi
| 3 |
| 19 Apr | W |
Maccabi
| 1 |
Hapoel T
| 0 |
| 15 Apr | W |
Maccabi
| 3 |
Maccabi Haifa
| 2 |
| 12 Apr | L |
Maccabi
| 1 |
Hapoel B
| 3 |
| 05 Apr | W |
Hapoel Haifa
| 1 |
Maccabi
| 4 |
| 21 Feb | W |
Maccabi
| 3 |
SC Ashdod
| 2 |
| 16 Feb | D |
Beitar J
| 0 |
Maccabi
| 0 |
| 09 Feb | W |
Maccabi
| 4 |
Maccabi B
| 0 |
| 05 Feb | W |
Maccabi K
| 0 |
Maccabi
| 5 |
Recent Matches Of Bologna
| 25 Apr | L |  Bologna |
0 |  AS Roma |
2 |
| 19 Apr | L |  Juventus |
2 | Bologna |
0 |
| 16 Apr | L |  Aston Villa |
4 | Bologna |
0 |
| 12 Apr | W | Bologna |
2 |  Lecce |
0 |
| 09 Apr | L | Bologna |
1 | Aston Villa |
3 |
| 05 Apr | W |  Cremonese |
1 | Bologna |
2 |
| 22 Mar | L | Bologna |
0 |  Lazio |
2 |
| 19 Mar | W | AS Roma |
3 | Bologna |
4 |
| 15 Mar | W |  Sassuolo |
0 | Bologna |
1 |
| 12 Mar | D | Bologna |
1 | AS Roma |
1 |
