Bologna - FC Internazionale predictions and free betting tips [09/03/2024]

Today in the frame of the 28th tour of the Italian Serie A, Bologna will host Inter on their home pitch. Rossoblu has won six consecutive matches in the championship and solidified their fourth-place position, while Nerazzurri have a 12-match winning streak across all competitions, making their way to the coveted Scudetto.

Projected Line-ups

Bologna: Skorupski; Posh, Bucema, Calafiori, Christiansen; Froiler; Orsolini, Ferguson, Fabbian, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee. 
Inter: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez.             

Bologna 

Since appointing Thiago Motta at the helm, Bologna has been transformed and even dreams of entering the Champions League. The hosts now stand 4th in the Serie A league table and have distanced themselves by 4 points from the fifth position. Furthermore, the team has picked up fantastic form in February: after a draw with Milan (2:2) in late January, Rossoblu defeated Sassuolo (4:2), Lecce (4:0), Fiorentina (2:0), Lazio (1:2), Verona (2:0) and Atalanta last weekend (1:2) thanks to goals by Joshua Zirkzee and captain Lewis Ferguson. Only once, almost exactly 60 years ago, has Bologna managed to win seven Serie A matches in a row. It is also important to note that only Inter has gathered more points at home games than the red-blues (35); not to mention, Bologna ranks second in terms of points gained in 2024.

Having been eliminated from the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia, the hosts are now focused on the final stretch of the national championship. As in recent weeks, Bologna is still without defender Sumaoro, who has been absent for several weeks due to injury. Thiago Motta will be able to count on an optimal line-up this weekend, and Dutch striker Zirkzee (10 goals and 3 assists) will surely take the forward position. Attacking midfielder Ferguson (6 goals and 3 assists) supports him in the build-up, as does Italy international Orsolini (9 goals and 2 assists). Compared to the last round, only one change might occur in the hosts' line-up: Alexis Saelemaekers will likely replace Dan Ndoye on the left flank.

Inter

This season, Inter seems to be out of reach for competitors in Italy and is confidently proceeding towards clinching the Scudetto. The Lombards are at the very top of the league table, enjoying a significant 15-point lead over their closest pursuers. Thanks to their supreme quality of play, Nerazzurri won their last 9 matches in the championship: following a convincing victory over Atalanta with a score of 4:0, Milan bested Genoa at home last weekend (2:1) with goals from Cristiano Aslani and Alexis Sanchez. A triumph over Bologna will enable Simone Inzaghi's team to pick up 75 points for 28 tours – only once in Serie A history has a team gathered more points at this stage: it was also Inter, but under the guidance of Roberto Mancini in the 2006-07 campaign. In the Champions League, the guests beat Atletico Madrid (1:0) in the first leg of the round of 16 and will head to Spain for the return fixture next Wednesday.

Inter are without defender Juan Cuadrado and midfielder Sensi due to injury, other than that there are no significant losses. Captain Lautaro Martinez, the top scorer of Serie A with 23 goals, will take to the top of the attack – interestingly, he has yet to score at Renato Dall'Ara in his career. Frenchman Marcus Thuram (10 goals and 7 assists), who returned from a minor injury last weekend, is expected to partner the Argentine, while Marco Arnautović (2 goals and 3 assists) will be ready to enhance the game with a substitution in the second half. This week, midfielders Davide Frattesi and Hakan Çalhanoğlu returned to training, the latter might even start having missed three matches due to a thigh strain.

Head to Head

Bologna have won the last two home games against Inter and may for the first time since the mid-1970s win three in a row against the Milan powerhouse on their home ground. 

Match prediction for Bologna - Inter

Inter don't plan to slow down and are in full pursuit of the much-desired championship title. However, Nerazzurri have the right for a slip-up – the gap from the second place is 15 points. Bologna, on the other hand, are fighting for the Champions League zone and perform splendidly on their home field. Furthermore, Inzaghi will undoubtedly keep the return leg match against Atletico in the Champions League in mind – I dare to bet that the hosts will at least not lose this evening.