Bologna vs Celtic predictions and betting tips – O’Neill back in Europe

Celtic have work to do as they attempt to keep their Europa League participation alive. The Hoops are currently in a play-off place, but they have little margin for error with two matches left to play.

This will be a tricky test for Martin O’Neill’s side, with Bologna still in the mix for a top-eight finish. Who wins this one in Italy? 

• Bologna win or draw with both teams to score – 17/20 with BetMGM
• Over 2.5 goals – 4/6 with 247Bet
• Orsolini to score any time – 11/8 with SBK

Bologna vs Celtic odds

Find the latest Bologna vs Celtic betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Bologna vs Celtic predictions

A few months ago, the idea of Martin O’Neill having a second spell as Celtic manager would have been fanciful.

The former Republic of Ireland boss had never formally announced that he would be retiring from management, but his last job was a brief stint at Nottingham Forest six years earlier.

The 73-year-old was filling his time with punditry, commenting on the Premier League as well as the Scottish game.

It was a surprise, then, when O’Neill returned to Celtic Park in October having been appointed interim manager following Brendan Rodgers’s exit.

Now he is back for a third spell. After his replacement Wilfried Nancy lasted just 33 days, O’Neill was installed again on January 5, signing a deal which runs until the end of the campaign.

Whatever happens over the next few months, all this makes for a remarkable end to O’Neill’s managerial career.

The main reason why the Celtic board turned to him not once but twice is the adoration shown towards him by the club’s supporters.

O’Neill won three league titles, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup in a five-year period in the Celtic Park dugout between 2000 and 2005.

He almost added a European trophy to the cabinet as well. Celtic reached the final of the Europa League, which was then called the UEFA Cup, in 2003/04, only to come unstuck against a Porto team managed by a young up-and-coming coach by the name of Jose Mourinho.

What a story it would be for O’Neill to lift that trophy with Celtic 22 years later. 

In truth, that looks like a long shot right now. Celtic are 24th in the league phase table with two games left, putting them at risk of dropping out of the play-off spots. Defeat by Bologna would leave them in a difficult position ahead of next week’s clash with Utrecht.

Celtic will also have one eye on a titanic tussle in the Premiership this weekend, when O’Neill will take his team to Edinburgh to face league leaders Heart of Midlothian.

Many Celtic supporters would trade a defeat on Thursday for a victory on Sunday. O’Neill, though, will not want to choose between them.

Bologna vs Celtic betting tips

Bologna and Celtic will go head-to-head on matchday seven of the Europa League.

Tricky night for Celtic

Celtic are averaging one manager every two Europa League games this season, with O’Neill now back at the helm after Nancy took the team in a 3-0 loss to Roma last month.

Another Italian opponent will be looking to inflict defeat on the Hoops on Thursday, with Bologna needing to win to keep their top-eight hopes alive.

Vincenzo Italiano’s charges are currently 13th in the table. They will surely be in the play-offs at a minimum, but Bologna would prefer a direct passage to the round of 16.

It is hard to see them coming unstuck against a distracted Celtic team on Thursday. However, O’Neill’s men are likely to find the back of the net against a side that has struggled for clean sheets of late.

Back a Bologna win or a draw and both teams to score at 17/20 with BetMGM

Goals await in Italy

Bologna lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on matchday one of the Europa League, but they have not lost any of their subsequent five outings in this tournament.

In three of their last four matches on the continent, there have been at least three goals scored between Bologna and their opponents.

Meanwhile this bet has paid out in each of Celtic’s last four contests in the Europa League, including in that loss to Roma last time out.

Even under Nancy, Celtic were generally creating chances. Goals are on the cards at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Go for over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with 247Bet

Orsolini on scoresheet?

Riccardo Orsolini is Bologna’s leading goalscorer this season having found the back of the net 10 times in all competitions.

The Italy international scored a career-high 17 goals last term and he is aiming to break that personal record in 2025/26.

Orsolini, who was once on the books of Juventus, carries a threat from open play, while he is also his team’s designated penalty-taker.

The 28-year-old, who is in his eighth full campaign as a Bologna player, is our pick to beat Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel on Thursday night.

Tip Riccardo Orsolini to score any time at 11/8 with SBK

Bologna vs Celtic predicted lineups

• Bologna expected lineup: Ravaglia; Holm, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro.
• Celtic expected lineup: Schmeichel; Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Nygren; Hyun-jun, Maeda, Tounekti.

Where to watch Bologna vs Celtic

• Location: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy.
• Date and time: Thursday 22nd January, 5.45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2.

More Europa League predictions

We have plenty more Europa League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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