FC Internazionale - Bologna predictions and free betting tips [07/10/2023]

Today in the 8th round of the Italian Serie A, Inter will host Bologna. Despite a hiccup against Sassuolo at home, Nerazzurri are still leading the championship whereas Rossoblu is experiencing a victorious streak since their home defeat against Milan in August.

Predicted Lineups

Inter: Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
Bologna: Skorupski; De Silvestri, Bucema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Aebischer, Freuler; Orsolini, Ferguson, N'Doye; Zirkzee.

Venue

The match will take place at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan.

Inter

Striving to get back into the Scudetto fight this season, Inter is living up to its fans' expectations. The Lombards are topping the Serie A table with 18 points from 7 matches. After an impressive start with 5 victories, Nerazzurri surprisingly stumbled in the home match against Sassuolo (1:2). Last weekend, Milan's team rebounded with a convincing triumph over Salernitana (0:4), thanks to Lautaro Martinez's poker, and the side secured a 1:0 win over Benfica in the Champions League last Tuesday, with a critical strike from Marcus Thuram. This season, the team has conceded goals only thrice in seven championship matches (twice against Sassuolo), in the coming Saturday, hosts are definitely planning to keep another clean sheet. 

Inter's lineup still sees the absence of midfielder Sensi, as well as summer arrivals Frattesi (Sassuolo) and Arnautovic (Bologna). On the other hand, Colombian back Cuadrado, who moved from Juventus in the summer, returned to action this week and is ready to hit the ground running. Lautaro Martinez, who has 9 goals this season, was on the bench last weekend but managed to net four goals after coming on as a substitute. He should partner with Marcus Thuram (2 goals and 4 assists in Serie A). The usual trio in midfield should consist of experienced Barella, Calhanoglu, and Mkhitaryan. Notably, Inter has the best goal difference in Serie A – 19:3.

Bologna

Bologna has been picking up the pace since last season under the management of Thiago Motta and hopes to continue this progress during this campaign. After a defeat against Milan in the opening round (0:2), Rossoblu hasn't lost (2 wins and 4 draws). As a result, they rank eighth in the overall Serie A standings. Bologna has shared points with Verona, Napoli, and Monza three times in a row, and last week they thrashed sinking Empoli 3:0. The team also has one less goal conceded than the Nerazzurri, suggesting that Bologna will indeed provide a tough game for their high-profile rivals on Saturday. Notably, Bologna has kept a clean sheet four times this season. 

Bologna's defence is weakened by injuries to Lukumi, Sumaoro, and Stefan Posch, the latter two being out of commission until November and January 2024, respectively. Good news, however, is the return of winger Saelemaekers from suspension, on loan from Milan. Winger Orsolini, who hasn't always made it in the starting lineup since the start of the season, scored a hat-trick last weekend, solidifying his spot. The attack will be led by summer recruit N'Doye (Basel) and Bayern Munich graduate Zirkzee (1 goal and 1 assist in Serie A).

Head-to-Head

Inter has won all the last three home matches against Bologna in Serie A, with an emphatic 6:1 score in each of the previous two games.

Match prediction Inter – Bologna

Milan's Inter is in a cracking form this season and is one of the favourites for the Scudetto. Lautaro Martinez is shining, having formed an effective attacking tandem with Thuram. The problem is that Bologna is in better physical conditions (having not played in the European cups during the week) and proves to be a tough adversary. The guests have not suffered defeat in their last six matches, keeping a clean sheet in 4 of them. I think Thiago Motta's men will create several problems for the Milanese side – putting a stick for Bologna's handicap of 1.5.