Roma vs Bologna Prediction: Expect cards in this race for the Champions League

It is double Daniele for us on Monday in Serie A as our Italian Football expert is covering both of the live matches with the first being Roma hosting Bologna in a 17:30 kick-off, live on TNT Sports 1.

You can check out his full match preview below, where he picks out his two Best Bets as part of his Roma vs Bologna predictions for us at Betfred Insights...

Daniele De Rossi could not have hoped for a better day last Thursday. In the morning it was confirmed his contract got extended as he’ll lead the Giallorossi for the 2024/2025 campaign.

A few hours later, Roma offered another dominant display against AC Milan to qualify to a European semi-final for the fourth season in a row.

Not only the former club’s captain record on the bench is impressive (11 wins, four draws and two defeats), but most importantly De Rossi has been able, in such a short period of time, to deeply transform the Giallorossi.

When he took over from José Mourinho, in mid-January, the team looked extremely nervous and short of confidence.

Now Roma are displaying an impressive team spirit coupled with the ability of imposing their style of play.

Some of De Rossi’s tactical changes, in high-pressure moments, have also made the difference as the team from Italy’s capital looks set to compete with anyone in Serie A.

Their remiss and speculative approach in big games seem to have vanished, as Roma are set to finish the season on a high.

Thursday’s win in the Europa League, alongside Atalanta and Fiorentina also advancing to the semi-finals, have rubber-stamped the participation of five Serie A sides to next season’s Champions League.

Therefore Bologna, the real surprise package of the current campaign, can approach this game with slightly less pressure, conscious that it is unlikely Atalanta, currently eight points away but with a game in hand, is going to catch them.

However, Thiago Motta and his men have built their success thanks to a courageous and attacking style of play that has helped them perform well against top club in Italy.

This promises to be a fascinating battle between two young managers and two confident sides never afraid to play on the front foot.

Team News:

Roma will assess the condition of Lukaku, who was subbed off in the first half, due to injury, on Thursday.

Tammy Abraham might start his first game after almost 11 months, with Dybala and El Shaarawy on either side of the front three.

Cristante (who was suspended against AC Milan) will return in midfield, while Paredes is in contention with Bove. Llorente will replace Smalling at centre-back and Angelino will be the left-back.

The visitors have lost their captain, Ferguson, for the next six months due to a cruciate knee injury.

Fabbian will replace the Scottish international playing alongside Aebischer in midfield, with Freuler sitting in front of the back four.

Saelemakers will return from the start and Orsolini will play on the right flank in support of Zirkzee.

Thiago Motta has two doubts in defence: Calafiori or Lucumì as centre-back and Kristiansen or Lykogiannis to play as left-back.

Odgaard, Soumaoro and N’Dicka will all miss the game due to physical issues.

Roma vs Bologna Odds

*Click on the link to get all the live odds on this match from betfred.com

Big odds for all the three possible outcomes, with the Giallorossi slight favourites (11/8) to get the three points on Monday.

Roma are unbeaten in eight of the last nine home games against the Felsinei (six wins, two draws) and have kept six clean sheets during this period.

The draw (21/10) and a win for the visitors (11/5) pay almost the same. Bologna were victorious in their last trip to ‘Stadio Olimpico’ back in February (2-1 against Lazio) and are unbeaten in their last five games on the road.

However, Thiago Motta’s side has also drawn eight away games this season and have remained scoreless in the previous two matches.

Roma have got Serie A’s fourth-best attack, but recently goals have slightly dried up: six of their last seven games in all competitions have produced less than three goals.

The visitors have a negative goal difference on the road (-1), and Under 2.5 Goals (odds 4/7) would habe been a winning best in five of their last seven Serie A games.

However, ten of Bologna's 15 league away matches this term have ended with both teams on the scoresheet and there have been four or more goals in 11 Roma’s Serie A games.

If you’re looking to double your stake, Over 2.5 (5/4) might be a good option.

Both Teams To Score – Yes @ 10/11

Roma have scored in the last 32 games in all competitions and have only been defeated twice this season (2-1 by AC Milan and 4-2 by Inter) at the ‘Stadio Olimpico’.

The Giallorossi have won already 11 home matches, as many as they did in the entire 2022/2023 season.

They were superb, playing with 10 men for over an hour, against AC Milan on Thursday but may pay for those exertions against Bologna.

The visitors have recently scored two goals against Milan, Lazio and Atalanta and can certainly threaten Daniele De Rossi’s men, who have kept just six clean sheets in the previous 16 games.

Over 1.5 Goals and Under 59.5 Booking Points @ 9/5 via #PickYourPunt

Given both managers’ style of play it is unlikely the game will be cagey.

Bologna take risks in possession but often get rewarded, in fact they only failed to score in four occasions on the road this season.

The hosts are the team that has received the most yellow cards in Serie A (80), with Leandro Paredes (17) and Bryan Cristante (12) contributing to more than a quarter of them.

But the Argentinian midfielder might not play from the start, whereas the Italian international had to sit out the recent Europa League game due to suspension therefore he’ll probably take extra caution with his tackles.

Generally speaking, Roma look less nervous than when Mourinho was on the bench and, excluding the derby against Lazio, they haven’t had more than two players booked in the last five Serie A games.

Bologna have five players at risk of suspension and have received 72 yellow cards so far, but their worst ‘offender’, Lewis Ferguson (nine bookings), is out for the rest of the season because of injury.

You can check out all of Daniele's Serie A Betting Tips here each week along with those of our other Italian Football writers...