Serie A: Bologna vs Inter Milan Expert Pick, Analysis
Both Sides on Long Winning Streaks
Bologna With Sights on European Qualification
Bologna FC haven’t played in European competition since the 1999-2000 season but that’s very likely to change soon. BFC enter the weekend in fourth place in Serie A, on a six game winning streak.
The only Serie A side with a longer streak are leaders Inter Milan, who Bologna host on Saturday at the Renato Dall’Ara. Inter have won their last nine in Serie A, and last twelve overall, but the Rossoblu won’t be intimidated on Saturday. With both sides in stellar form, stay tuned for our match analysis and Bologna vs Inter Milan expert pick.
Bologna vs Inter Milan
Day/Time:
Location: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Bologna, Italy
Bologna vs Inter Milan Head-to-Head
The last time these teams met was in December 2023 in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Following a scoreless draw in normal time, Carlos Augusto gave Inter the lead in the 92nd minute. However, Bologna’s Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye scored in the second extra time period to seal a 2-1 BFC victory at the San Siro.
On the Serie A schedule, these teams drew 2-2 as Bologna came back from 2-0 down. In fact, Bologna have gotten the better of Inter over the last couple of seasons. Over the last five meetings, they are 2-2-1 vs Inter in 90-minute matches. The Rossoblu defeated Inter 1-0 at the Renato Dall’Ara last season as Riccardo Orsolini scored the winner.
Bologna On Course to Make History
Bologna haven’t finished in fourth place or above in the Serie A table since the 1966-67 season. They’re on pace to make the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history and with the UCL format changing, it may only take a fifth place finish.
They’re currently in fourth place, four points ahead of AS Roma and the Rossoblu have won their last six games on the Serie A schedule. Bologna had a tough match at Atalanta on Sunday and they fell behind in the first half.
BFC won a penalty in the second half and Joshua Zirkzee converted, to equalize. Lewis Ferguson put Bologna ahead on a side volley just a few minutes later. Thiago Motta’s side held on for the victory and it was the seventh straight match they managed to score two goals in.
On their winning streak, Bologna have taken down top half sides Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio. BFC have also kept three clean sheets in their last five and coach Thiago Motta has transformed them into a well-oiled machine.
They’ve only lost four of their 27 Serie A matches this season and haven’t lost a home game since August. Zirkzee is tied for sixth in Serie A, with 10 goals this season, and Riccardo Orsolini isn’t far behind, with nine. Only Adama Soumaoro is on the injury list for this match and Bologna will be highly motivated to beat the league leaders here.
12 Game Winning Streak and 15 Point Lead for Inter
Inter Milan extended their winning streak to 12, in all competitions, with a 2-1 victory over Genoa on Monday. Kristjan Asllani scored his first Inter Milan goal to open things up and Alexis Sanchez doubled the Nerazzurri’s lead on a penalty later on in the first half.
Genoa had the better chances in the first half but that didn’t stop Inter from capitalizing. Genoa did manage to pull a goal back on Johan Vazquez’s effort from outside of the box but Inter held on for the victory.
You’ll be hard pressed to find any Serie A predictions that don’t have Inter winning the title at this point. They’ve taken a 15 point lead over second-placed Juventus with 11 games to play and can clinch the title as soon as April.
They’ve got some margin for error and Simone Inzaghi may opt to focus more on next Wednesday’s Champions League match at Atletico Madrid. Inter hold a one-goal lead heading into the second leg of the round of 16 and Inzaghi could opt to give some of his stars limited minutes vs Bologna.
Bologna vs Inter Milan expert picks will take into account Inter’s UCL preparations. Still, Inter will want to extend their Serie A winning streak to ten games and widen the gap even further. Lautaro Martinez failed to score vs Genoa but the striker has found the net four times in his last Serie A games. The Argentine leads the league, with 23 goals. Alessandro Bastoni will return from a one game suspension here, while both Hakan Calhanoglu and Juan Cuadrado could miss out due to injuries.
Match Analysis & Odds
Just two teams have beaten Inter Milan this season: Sassuolo and Bologna. This projects as one of Inter’s most difficult remaining matches and it’s inopportune timing, given the game at Atletico next Wednesday. Inzaghi is going to have to make some difficult decisions about who to rest and who to play.
Still, there are three days of rest in between this match and the Champions League clash.
Bologna pk, +0.5 comes in at +105 odds. BFC are also +260 underdogs despite being unbeaten in their last 14 home games, in all competitions. Inter are +105 favorites to get a tenth straight Serie A victory. Those odds correspond to a 48.8 percent implied chance of victory.
A draw (+245) is another feasible option and these sides drew 2-2 at the San Siro in the Serie A reverse fixture.
The Asian handicap for Inter is pk, -0.5 at -125 odds and the Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last 21 games. With both teams on long winning streaks, one or both teams’ excellent runs of form will be coming to an end here. Bettors should note that over 2, 2.5 goals sit at -120 odds.
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