Serie A Preview: Bologna vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction
Serie A·25 April 2026·3h ago

Serie A Preview: Bologna vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

Source: Cult of Calcio

Bologna host Roma at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Saturday evening in a crucial Serie A fixture. Bologna sit ten points behind sixth-placed Roma and cannot afford another slip-up after a 2-0 defeat at Juventus, having lost three of their last four matches by multiple goals. Roma, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, are targeting a top-four finish for the first time since 2017–18, but trail fourth-placed Juventus by five points following a 1-1 home draw against Atalanta. With only five games remaining, both sides face mounting pressure in their pursuit of European qualification.

Bologna's home record presents a significant weakness—they have lost 50% of their Serie A matches at Renato Dall'Ara this season (W6, D2, L8) and have won only two of ten encounters against current top-seven sides. Roma, however, struggle on the road, having failed to win any of their last seven away games in all competitions (D3, L4) despite scoring in six of them. Defensively, Roma have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four Serie A away matches.

Bologna will be without goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, defender Nicolo Casale, and striker Thijs Dallinga, with Federico Bernardeschi also sidelined by injury. Roma cannot call upon Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, though Paulo Dybala may be available from the bench. Injuries to Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini have depleted Roma's midfield, leaving Niccolo Pisilli and Bryan Cristante to fill the gaps. The prediction favours Roma to win, given Bologna's fatigue from additional recent matches.

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Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is the venue as Bologna and Roma go head-to-head in an exciting Serie A showdown on Saturday evening. The home side’s chances of securing European qualification are waning quickly, and anything other than three points here would likely end their pursuit of a top-six finish.Although Bologna could improve on last season’s ninth-placed finish, that’s unlikely to settle fans’ nerves after a disappointing Europa League quarter-final loss to Aston Villa. Sitting ten points adrift of sixth-placed Roma, Vincenzo Italiano’s side cannot afford a slip-up here, as they look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Juventus last weekend.However, Bologna’s form cannot inspire confidence, as the Rossoblu have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions by multi-goal margins. The only exception was a 2-0 victory over perennial Serie A strugglers Lecce on this ground, which saw last season’s Coppa Italia winners halt a dreadful four-game winless streak at Renato Dall’Ara (D1, L3).Keen to pounce on Bologna’s rough patch, Roma will be out to avenge their Europa League last-16 exit and recover from a 1-1 home draw against Atalanta last time out. There’s no margin for error, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men already trail fourth-placed Juventus by five points, largely thanks to their underwhelming three-game run in Serie A (W1, D1, L1).With only five games left to play, any mistake could prove costly, as Roma still hope to secure their first top-four finish since the 2017/18 season.Match PreviewBolognaDespite lagging ten points behind Roma, Bologna could still lock down a place in a major European competition. Indeed, there’s a chance that even seventh place could guarantee continental action next season, with the Rossoblu currently stuck six points behind Atalanta.Worryingly, Renato Dall’Ara has been a feeble fortress this season. Italiano’s charges have lost 50% of their Serie A home matches in 2025/26 (W6, D2, L8), which paints a bleak picture ahead of this must-win clash. Furthermore, they’ve fared terribly against the division’s best teams, losing seven of their ten encounters against current top-seven sides (W2, D1).Roma’s visit won’t make it any easier on them, considering they’ve failed to beat this opposition inside 90 minutes in all three meetings this season (D2, L1). However, the hosts have avoided defeat in their last five home encounters against the Giallorossi (W2, D3), keeping three clean sheets in the process.RomaLast weekend’s draw against Atalanta dented Roma’s top-four hopes, marking their fifth winless league outing in seven (D2, L3). As a result, their Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread, and Gasperini must find a way to address his side’s travel sickness to renew the visitors’ bid to overtake Juventus in the table.Indeed, Roma have failed to win any of their last seven away games in all competitions (D3, L4) despite getting on the scoresheet in six of them. Nevertheless, the Giallorossi should feel confident here after winning seven of their ten away matches against sides currently sitting outside the top seven this term (L3).Defensive frailties could be Roma’s undoing in this fixture. Gasperini’s men have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four Serie A outings on the road (D1, L3). Therefore, it’s unsurprising that they head into proceedings on the back of three consecutive away league losses, including a 5-2 rout at the hands of runaway leaders Inter last time out.Team NewsIn addition to first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, Bologna will be without starting center-back Nicolo Casale and Dutch striker Thijs Dallinga. Star forward Federico Bernardeschi has joined the injured trio on the sidelines with a muscular problem, meaning long-serving stalwart Riccardo Orsolini will partner up with Jonathan Rowe and Santiago Castro in the final third.On the other hand, Roma cannot call upon long-term absentees Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, though Paulo Dybala could make the bench. However, injuries to Manu Kone and Lorenzo Pellegrini have crippled Gasperini’s midfield options, with Niccolo Pisilli and Bryan Cristante expected to fill the void.Bologna vs Roma Potential Starting LineupsBologna (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Mario, Lucumi, Vitik, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, El Shaarawy; Malen.Bologna vs Roma PredictionIt’s not just Bologna’s poor home record that raises concerns – Champions League-chasing AS Roma should also arrive with greater urgency than their fatigued hosts.With their European hopes all but over, the Rossoblu have played two more matches than Roma since these sides last met, and that added mental and physical strain could prove decisive.Prediction: Roma to Win Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football Related posts: Grading Every New Coaching Appointment in Serie A Serie A KO’d in Race for Fifth Champions League Team Milan Not Close to Deciding Their Coach for Next Season Roma Eye Ex-Ajax Gaffer, Milan Lurking for Italiano

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