The second leg of the 2025/26 Europa League round of 16 tie between Roma (Italy) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on 19 March at the Olimpico in Rome. The first leg finished 1:1. Roma vs Bologna: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Roma Form
The home side conceded first in the previous match, but managed to avoid defeat – 1:1. As a result, the team’s unbeaten run in the Europa League has reached six matches (four wins, two draws). Their scoring streak has also grown to seven games. At the same time, Roma have lacked reliability at the back: they have kept a clean sheet in only three of their last 13 games in this competition. To reach the next round, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side need to win the upcoming match. The club have also won seven of their previous nine home matches in the Europa League.
- No more than three goals have been scored in Roma’s last nine matches in this competition.
- On home soil, the team have conceded in five of their previous six Europa League matches.
- Roma have scored at least twice in six of their last eight home matches in the Europa League.
Potential Roma Lineup (3-5-2)*
Mile Svilar – Zeki Celik, Evan Ndicka, Daniele Gilardi – Devyne Rensch, Bryan Cristante, Niccolo Pisilli, Wesley Franca, Neil El Aynaoui – Bryan Zaragoza, Daoniell Malen.
Forwards Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Matias Soule and Evan Ferguson will miss the match through injury.
Bologna Form
The draw in the previous match ended the team’s three-game winning run in the Europa League. What is more, the defeat in matchday one of the league phase remains the only loss for Vincenzo Italiano’s side in this competition. The goal conceded against the Roman club was also the first they had allowed in their previous four Europa League matches. If the second leg ends level again, extra time will follow. To avoid that, Bologna need to win. However, a trip to Rome in the current Serie A campaign ended in defeat for the club (0:1).
- The team have not conceded more than one goal in 13 of their previous 14 matches on the international stage.
- Away from home in the Europa League, Bologna are on a four-match winning run.
- The club have scored in five of their last six away matches in European competition.
Potential Bologna Lineup (4-5-1)*
Lukasz Skorupski – Jhon Lucumi, Joao Mario, Juan Miranda, Nicolo Casale – Tommaso Pobega, Jonathan Rowe, Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, Santiago Castro – Federico Bernardeschi.
Defender Juan Miranda is suspended.
Who Will Referee the Match
Istvan Kovacs (Romania)
Matches – 11 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match on average – 28;
Penalties – 18%.
Roma vs Bologna: Match Prediction
Bookmakers have installed the Roman club as favourites, but the form of Gian Piero Gasperini’s side makes us doubt those prices. The team have won only two of their last 10 official matches (five draws, three defeats), and those victories came only against Serie A strugglers. Roma are unlikely to have an easy time against a solid Bologna side who are also in good form.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men have lost just once in official matches since mid-February (six wins, two draws), and they kept a clean sheet in five games across that spell. This should be an additional factor in the visitors’ favour. Moreover, away from home in the 2025/26 Europa League, Bologna have won four matches in a row. The club have also done well against Roma. The defeat in the first round of the league season remains their only loss in the last seven official head-to-head meetings (three wins, three draws).
We can see extra time in this match, but we suggest playing it safe with a positive handicap.
Prediction: Bologna (+1)
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this competition is shown.
