The Matchday 1 clash in Serie A between Roma and Bologna will take place on August 23 at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma vs. Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Roma
Last season, the team finished in fifth place with 69 points, just one point short of the Champions League zone. Nevertheless, this was Roma's best result in Serie A over the past five seasons. Additionally, during the championship, the club achieved their longest unbeaten streak since 2016, reaching 19 matches (14 wins, 5 draws). It is also noteworthy that the Romans ranked third in points earned in home matches (41). In the off-season, the team played five friendly matches, winning four (1 loss).
In the summer transfer window, defender Samuel Dal and midfielder Enzo Le Fe left the club, while forward Eldor Shomurodov went out on loan. Meanwhile, defenders Daniele Gilardi and Wesley França, midfielders Leon Bailey and Nel El-Naoui, and forward Evan Ferguson joined the team. Additionally, the Romans will be led by new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
- The team is unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in Serie A (10 wins, 2 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 4 of the last 5 home matches in the league.
- Roma scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 home matches in Serie A.
Predicted lineup for Roma (3-4-3)
Mile Svilar – Evan Ndicka, Gianluca Mancini, Daniele Gilardi – Wesley França, Kouadio Koné, Bryan Cristante, Angeliño – Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Matías Soulé.
Midfielders Leon Bailey and Lorenzo Pellegrini are injured. Defender Zeki Çelik is suspended.
Bologna
Last season, the club finished only in ninth place with 62 points but secured a Europa League spot by winning the Coppa Italia. However, since the 2015/16 season, Bologna has only once finished higher in Serie A. Interestingly, the team was even contending for a Champions League spot but faltered at the end of the season, failing to win any of their last five matches (2 draws, 3 losses). In the off-season, Vincenzo Italiano's side played four friendlies, winning three (1 loss).
In the summer, the team was reinforced by defenders Martin Vitik, Nadir Zortea, and Nicolò Casale, midfielder Tommaso Pobega, and experienced forwards Federico Bernardeschi and Ciro Immobile. Meanwhile, Bologna parted ways with defender Sam Beukema and forward Dan Ndoye.
- The club has not won in 8 of their last 10 away matches in Serie A (4 draws, 4 losses).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of Bologna's last 9 away matches in the league.
- Bologna did not score more than once in 8 of their last 9 matches in Serie A.
Predicted lineup for Bologna (4-5-1)
Łukasz Skorupski – Emil Holm, Martin Vitik, John Lucumi, Charalampos Lykogiannis – Riccardo Orsolini, Remo Freuler, Jens Odgaard, Tommaso Pobega, Nicolò Cambiaghi – Santiago Castro.
Midfielder Lewis Ferguson is out due to injury. Defender Juan Miranda is suspended.
Referee
Luca Zufferli (Italy)
Matches – 15 (Serie A, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.8;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 20%.
Roma vs. Bologna: Match Prediction
The Romans feel confident at home and will aim to extend their unbeaten home streak and start the new season successfully. The team has not lost in their last 12 home matches in Serie A, with only two instances where Roma failed to achieve the maximum result. Additionally, in half of these matches, the club managed to keep a clean sheet.
Bologna, on the other hand, has recently struggled on the road: in their last ten away matches in Serie A, the team has only managed two wins (4 draws, 4 losses). These victories came against lower-ranked opponents – Verona and Venezia. Moreover, during this period, the club failed to score against teams like Parma, Lecce, and Udinese.
I expect another strong performance from Roma at home. My prediction: Roma with a handicap (0)
