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.
Bologna
Despite 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.
Roma
Last 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.
In 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 (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.
It’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
