Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting the 2025/26 Serie A campaign underway on Saturday night, Roma will welcome Bologna to the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma
Starting with the hosts, while Roma might have eventually fallen short in the race to book a Champions League ticket last season, the Wolves did sign off the 2024/25 campaign in the midst of a sensational run. Getting a new era underway over the summer following the arrival of Gian Piero Gasperini, the former Atalanta boss will simply be calling on his new squad to continue on from where they left off prior to the summer break. Along with winning five of their final six Serie A appearances last season, Roma also remarkably suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 22 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a purple patch that stemmed all the way back to December 15th. With their sights firmly focused on securing a top-four return this season, Gasperini’s men will be looking to lay down an opening weekend marker.
Roma Team News
Making a timely appearance and managing to get some minutes under his belt in Roma’s final pre-season contest against Saudi-based outfit Neom last week, Paulo Dybala should feature here. Making an immediate impact after completing a loan switch from Brighton, Evan Ferguson could lead the line this weekend.
Likewise, despite only arriving from Aston Villa on Wednesday, Jamaican international Leon Bailey should make his Roma debut at the Stadio Olimpico. Now entering his eighth campaign with the Giallorossi, Bryan Cristante will start in the middle of the park.
Bologna
As for the visitors, making real history back on May 14th as they clinched a first Coppa Italia crown since way back in 1974 thanks to a 1-0 victory against AC Milan, Bologna should be relishing a return to the Stadio Olimpico here. However, eventually forced to settle for a ninth-place finish among Italy’s elite last season, it is fair to say that the Greyhounds largely limped their way over the finishing line. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a shock 3-1 defeat at home against Genoa, Vincenzo Italiano’s side lost all of their final three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 9-4. Likewise, Saturday’s guests also registered just a single win from any of their last eight top-flight battles. It’s also worth highlighting, Bologna notched just a sole Serie A victory on their travels after returning from March’s international break.
Bologna Team News
Completing a big-money move from Sparta Prague this summer, Czech youngster Martin Vitik will start at the heart of Bologna’s defence on Saturday night and make his Serie A debut. Likewise, arriving on a free switch from Besiktas last month, ex-Lazio striker Ciro Immobile will return to the Stadio Olimpico.
Former Nottingham Forest star Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park and should partner Scotland international Lewis Ferguson. One-time Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski will start between the sticks.
Roma vs Bologna Key Factors to Consider
- Roma won five of their final six Serie A appearances last season.
- In fact, the Wolves remarkably suffered just a single defeat from any of their last 22 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a purple patch that stemmed all the way back to December 15th.
- Despite their iconic Coppa Italia success back in May, Bologna lost all of their final three Serie A appearances by an aggregate score of 9-4.
- Likewise, Saturday’s guests mustered just a sole win from any of their final eight top-flight showdowns.
- The last three meetings between Roma and Bologna have produced 13 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
While Roma might have eventually fallen short in the race to book a lucrative Champions League ticket, the Wolves will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the summer break. Along with winning five of their final six Serie A showdowns, Saturday’s hosts have also suffered just a single top-flight defeat so far this calendar year. Officially getting Gasperini’s tenure underway at the Stadio Olimpico, we are backing a home victory this weekend.
Verdict: Roma win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
