Bologna’s matches have been characterised by low-scoring affairs, particularly in the Champions League, where none of their four games have seen more than two goals, averaging just 1.25 per match. Domestically, their Serie A fixtures have been similarly restrained, with an average of 2.58 goals per game and the fourth-lowest expected goals tally in the league. Across all competitions, only three of their 16 matches have surpassed 3.5 goals.

Lille’s approach mirrors Bologna’s in terms of prioritising defensive stability. Since switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation after previously deploying a three-at-the-back system, their matches have averaged just two goals. Notably, 85% of Lille’s games this season have featured three or fewer goals, reflecting their cautious tactics and reluctance to overcommit players in attack.

Jonathan David comes into this affair off the back of a hot streak of form which has seen the Canadian international bag six goals in his last eight games.

He’s tested the keeper in nine of his last twelve games across all competitions, accumulating 17 shots on target in total during the period.

Over the course of the entire league season, David has averaged 1.29 shots on target per 90 with that figure increasing dramatically to 2.01 in the Champions League.

Lille come into this clash undefeated in 11 games despite having competed in tough clashes with Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Monaco and Juventus over that period, impressively beating both Madrid clubs. The French side have recorded just one loss in their last eight UCL matches outside of the knockout rounds.

That’s in pretty stark contrast to Bologna who have struggled this season, winning just 4 out of their 16 games in all competitions. Seven of those games have resulted in draws hence the importance of including this possibility in the selection.

Lille have accumulated a mere 12 corners across their last five games combined – an average of just 2.4 per game. Over the course of the entire season, this average rises slightly to 4.25 with their games averaging no more than 8.33 corners won in total. In their four Champions League matches, Lille’s games have averaged 6.75 corners with Lille themselves only responsible for 2.5 of those.

It’s a similar story for Bologna whose last seven games have all produced under 10.5 match corners, with their league games producing 8.69 per 90. Similarly, this selection has also been a winner in their last three Champions League games against Liveprool, Aston Villa, and Monaco.

Bologna’s games tend not to be the most fascinating of affairs and either team has failed to score in seven of their last clashes and five of their most recent six. This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise given just one of their last twelve games has seen both sides create more than one expected goal. Bologna also remain the only team not to have scored in the Champions League this season.

Since the start of Lille’s domestic campaign, 58.33% of their league games have seen either side frustrated in addition to two of their Champions League clashes. Their games have produced the third-fewest number of goals of any side in Ligue 1, averaging just 2.5, implying this is no coincidence.

Orsollini has been one of Bologna’s msot exciting players in front of goal this season, averaging 1.15 shots on target per 90 despite Bologna’s difficulties in front of goal. This average is heavily affected by a slow start to the season for the Italian winger but he has since recovered his form.

Orsollini has tested the keeper at least once in each of his last five appearances (60+ minutes), averaging 1.6 shots on target per 90 over the period and bagging four goals in the process. He started in Bologna’s Champions League games against Liverpool and Aston Villa, firing off a shot on goal in each.

Lille have conceded at least five shots on target in three of their four Champions League games to date implying Orsollini shouldn’t be too starved of opportunities.

Lille have surpassed the 4.5 corner mark just once in their last nine games, averaging no more than 2.67 per game over the period. The bookmakers seem to have missed the connection between this and their switch of formation. Just one game before that streak began, Lille switched from a 3-4-3 to a 4-2-3-1. Before this change, they were averaging a significantly higher 4.6 corners per game.

Interestingly, Bruno Génésio opted to switch back to the old formation for just one game as they faced Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Predictably, this coincided with the only match in the aforementioned streak when they won more than four corners.

This selection has been a winner in Bologna’s last three matches in the Champions League and half of their games across all competitions.

Diakité has been one of Lille’s most reliable providers in the fouls department this season, averaging an impressive 1.50 per 90.

He’s sinned in four of his most recent five games, racking up a total of nine fouls in the process, including four in his last outing against Rennes.

Bologna have been one of Europe’s msot fouled teams this season, drawing at least 12 fouls in fourteen of their sixteen games. In total they’re averaging 14.3 fouls drawn per 90 and with Diakité expected to face Dallinga, we should see him foul at least once. The Dutch forward has struggled for gametime but is averaging 1.76 fouls drawn per 90 in Serie A, and is just one of many players who could cause Diakité some problems.