Preview: Bologna vs. Atalanta BC - prediction, team news, lineups

Round 17 in Serie A sees Bologna host Atalanta BC at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Saturday.

Thiago Motta's men have had an excellent week in the league and cup, and they seek another top result against an in-form La Dea in Emilia-Romagna.

Match preview

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Bologna have had a week to remember, as the Rossoblu followed Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Roma with a Coppa Italia success against the two-time defending champions Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Joshua Zirkzee inspired their turnaround at San Siro with two impressive assists for Sam Beukema and Dan Ndoye to seal the victory after 120 minutes.

Bologna return to league action on Saturday, keen to continue the impressive form shown in front of their fans as they seek a sixth consecutive home triumph and seventh overall in 2023-24.

Motta's side are proving they have a seat at the table when considering top-four contenders, and the fourth-placed club seek another pivotal result when they welcome the Bergamaschi on Saturday.

With only four goals conceded in front of their supporters, joint-low in the league, the Rossoblu should back themselves to extend their undefeated run in Emilia-Romagna to eight games.

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Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta side have secured back-to-back results in the league, recovering from a four-game winless run in Serie A (three defeats) to avoid falling away in the Champions League race.

Last weekend's 4-1 win over Salernitana did not tell the whole story, as they had to come from behind to lead 2-1, require a Marco Carnesecchi save to deny the Granata an equaliser and see Boulaye Dia hit the post with 15 minutes remaining before scoring twice in the game's closing stages to be assured of another victory.

Having had a week to prepare for Saturday's Bologna test, Gasperini hopes the extra time to recuperate and Motta's team playing 120 minutes at San Siro plays to his side's advantage.

However, La Dea must end their inconsistent run away from home to give themselves a fighting chance of ending the Rossoblu's four-month undefeated home run in Serie A, with only three road wins secured from eight fixtures.

Atalanta were held by Udinese (1-1) and suffered a 3-0 hammering at another in-form side, Torino, in their recent away game, possibly giving fans reason to worry before Saturday's Bologna trip.

Team News

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Lewis Ferguson was an unused substitute in the cup victory over Inter, but the attacker should return to Motta's team for this weekend's fixture.

The retired midfielder could be without the doubtful Riccardo Orsolini, who could miss out with a hamstring problem, but Jesper Karlsson (knee) and Adama Soumaoro (ACL) are not expected to feature for Bologna.

Atalanta are not anticipated to have the quartet of Rafael Toloi, Gianluca Scamacca, Jose Luis Palomino and El Bilal Toure available for the trip to Emilia-Romagna.

Gasperini could continue with Luis Muriel and Ademola Lookman up top, even if a start for AC Milan loanee Charles De Ketelaere would not surprise.

Juan Musso is tipped to return in goal for La Dea, replacing Carnesecchi, although that outcome is anyone's guess.

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler, Moro; Ndoye, Ferguson, Saelemaekers; Zirkzee

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Musso; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Muriel, Lookman

We say: Bologna 2-1 Atalanta BC

Saturday's result could swing either way, but Bologna ought to claim their third impressive triumph inside six days with a marginal victory over Atalanta.

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