Bologna vs Sassuolo Prediction: Goals expected at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium

Beaten Supercoppa Italiana finalists Bologna look to rebound this Sunday, December 28 (17:00 GMT, DAZN) against Sassuolo. Seventh plays 10th, with just four points separating the teams at kick-off. A win could either ignite a European qualification tilt for Sassuolo or glue them to midtable mediocrity at this critical stage.

Read on for my Bologna vs Sassuolo predictions, including team news and the latest odds.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Team News

Norway defender Torbjorn Heggem was sent off in Bologna’s last league game, a 1-0 defeat to Juventus. Having started in both his side’s Supercoppa Italiana games, the 26-year-old will now serve his Serie A suspension.

The home side will also be without Fernando Bernadeschi. The Italy winger is expected to miss up to six weeks of action after collarbone surgery. Lukasz Skorupski, Remo Freuler and Nicolo Casale join him on the injured list.

Football Odds

Sassuolo are unable to call on Woyo Coulibaly, with the on-loan Leicester City defender currently on international duty with Mali at the African Cup of Nations. Productive forward Domenico Berardi will miss out with a muscle issue. 

Sassuolo manager Fabio Grosso will also have to work around the injury absences of Yeferson Paz, Stefano Turati, Laurs Skjellerup, Edoardo Pieragnolo, Daniel Boloca and Filippo Romagna.

Bologna vs Sassuolo Odds

Bologna are fancied at 8/11 to triumph here. The visitors are priced at 4/1 while you can back the draw at a price of 13/5.

Betfred are offering a Price Boost on Bologna to win both halves, which moves from 10/3 to 4/1.

Today's Football Fixtures

Over 2.5 total goals @ 1/1

Sassuolo’s last eight games have seen over 2.5 goals scored on six occasions. For Bologna, it is a less nailed-on four from eight. But the home side are facing a quick turnaround after their Supercoppa exertions.

Bologna have dealt with the physical toll of two games in that competition, played in vastly different conditions over 2000 miles away. Coupled with the mental strain of disappointment after coming up short in the final, it is hard to envision The Red and Blues being laser-focused. The goals should flow freely in this one.

Double Chance: Draw or Sassuolo @ 21/20

Similar thinking informs this selection. While Bologna feet may drag, their opposition will see this match for what it is; an opportunity.

Sassuolo’s outside chance of European football will come in from the cold if they close the gap to one point here. Bologna have more quality in their ranks, but during a busy period where they are injury-hit in key areas, I feel Sassuolo can get a result from the favourites here.