Bologna vs Inter Milan
As the Serie A campaign reaches a climax, there is little wriggle room for the clubs with plenty to play for – whether that be the title, a European berth or to avoid the dreaded drop.
At the San Siro this weekend, two of those sides come together needing the points for their own cause.
Italian champions Inter hold a three point lead over 2023 champions Napoli and will know any slip-up may well be capitalised upon.
Likewise, Bologna are in the hunt for a top four spot, which would guarantee Champions League football next term, but know there are rivals hot on their heels.
The success of Bologna is extra impressive given they are above clubs with far greater resources such as Roma, Milan and Lazio.
If they can move up one position in the table (from fifth to fourth), they will be competing at Europe’s top tier for a second successive season for the first time in their history.
First, though, a trip to the champions, a regular picture of stability, and a side which had midweek exertions of their own in a hard fought battle with Bayern Munich which saw them reach the Champions League semi-finals.
Talking Points
As far as this SBOTOP writer is concerned, Inter still hold all the aces at the Serie A summit.
Last weekend they were 3-1 home winners over Cagliari when Marko Arnautovic scored one and assisted Lautaro Martinez before Yann Bisseck headed the third.
Austrian frontman Arnautovic, who netted 24 goals in 54 Serie A appearances during his time with Bologna, may well start in the Easter Day teatime meeting with Piotr Zielinski and Denzel Dumfries the only definite absentees, although the latter is now nearing a return.
The champions are 13 games unbeaten in all competitions and have also surpassed the 70-goal mark at this stage of a league season for only the third time in 60 years, averaging well over two per game so far this season.
Delivering their own Serie A 2025 highlights will be made more difficult for the hosts given they are without captain Lewis Ferguson, Davide Calabria and first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, while centre-back Nicolo Casale is also struggling with a shoulder injury.
One to watch out for in the hosts’ ranks is Swiss winger Dan Ndoye who scored an extra-time winner against Inter in last year’s Coppa Italia and is now aiming to be the first Bologna player to score in five straight Serie A home matches this century.
History
This is a fixture in Italian football that has real pedigree.
The very first meeting came in November 1928 when the sides – Inter then known as Società Sportiva Ambrosiana – drew 1-1 in the Divisione Nazionale.
Inter have 85 successes to Bologna’s 47 triumphs and there have also been 39 draws.
A solitary goal from Bisseck ensured Inter won the corresponding fixture last term but Bologna have earned a share of the spoils in their last two league visits to the San Siro.
Both games have finished 2-2, including earlier this season when Emil Holm netted a second half leveller for the visitors who had taken the lead through Santiago Castro only to go behind after goals from Dumfries and Lautaro Martinez.
Bologna also knocked Inter out of the Italian Cup on their own turf at the last 16 stage last season.
Joshua Zirkzee was the hero as he came off the bench to set up two goals in five minutes for Sam Beukema and Ndoye after Carlos Augusto had headed Inter in front early in extra-time.
Of course, even after this weekend’s encounter, they may yet meet again this season in the Italian Cup Final as Bologna have a healthy 3-0 lead from the first leg of their semi-final), while inter are locked level with city rivals Milan.
Betting Tip
Bologna were slow out of the starting blocks last weekend at Atalanta and will know they cannot afford a repeat.
You can tip them 1X2 @ 3.10 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.94, in contrast to Inter 1X2 @ 2.17 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.96.
The Serie A 2025 betting odds price the draw @ 3.13 and another 2-2 encounter @ 16.50 with Correct Score.
I think there will be a few goals and, while total goal 0-1 @ 2.71 caught my eye, I expect Inter to show the hallmark of champions and break down spirited and resolute hosts eventually.
As a result, my ** prediction is Half Time Full Time Draw Away @ 5.60.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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