Preview: Roma vs Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

A new era will begin at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening, as Roma welcome Serie A rivals Bologna to the Italian capital.

Under new management, the Giallorossi play host to last season's Coppa Italia winners, with both aiming to build on a memorable 2025 so far.

Match preview

Following the frustration of three consecutive sixth-placed finishes, Roma finally broke their streak of occupying that spot in Serie A last season, only missing out on Champions League football by a whisker.

After a chaotic start to the 2024-25 campaign, in which Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric were both sacked before Christmas, folk hero Claudio Ranieri returned to the helm and engineered a remarkable revival.

Not only did the wily veteran - who was lured out of retirement to aid his boyhood club - steady the ship, he also led a completely rejuvenated squad up the table.

Though they just missed out on a top-four finish to Juventus, the Giallorossi could still reflect on a brilliant 19-game unbeaten streak - plus impressive tallies of 49 points and 11 clean sheets in 2025 alone.

For the second year in a row, Ranieri then called time on his storied coaching career, handing the reins to Atalanta BC's Europa League winner Gian Piero Gasperini.

Four straight wins to start pre-season were followed by a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa, but Gasp's new-look team then finished off with an away victory over Everton and a draw with big-spending Saudi side NEOM.

Now, after a busy summer in the transfer market, Roma aim to start as they finished last term in Serie A.

While their hosts have enjoyed the calendar year so far, Bologna are still basking in the glow of May's historic Coppa Italia triumph.

Dan Ndoye's parting gift to the Rossoblu faithful was his winner against AC Milan in Rome, where Vincenzo Italiano's men will soon kick off another campaign.

Having been in the ascendancy for some time - even participating in the Champions League before lifting the cup - Bologna have won both of their last two league games against Roma at Stadio Olimpico.

Now aiming to win three on the spin for the first time since 1939, the Emilian club are unbeaten in their last five clashes - either home or away.

But not only have Bologna won just two of their last 15 season openers, they also ended last term with three consecutive defeats - to AC Milan, Fiorentina and Genoa - and slipped down to ninth place.

As the Rossoblu have not lost four consecutive Serie A matches since 2018, Italiano will be particularly keen to start off in a more positive manner this weekend.

Roma pre-season form: W W W L W D

Bologna pre-season form: W W L W W L

Team News

Roma are set to start with either new recruit Evan Ferguson or last season's top scorer Artem Dovbyk at the apex of Gasperini's familiar 3-4-2-1 formation.

Following another injury-scarred campaign in 2024-25, Paulo Dybala recently returned to action and could link up with compatriot Matias Soule in support of the hosts' lone striker.

Summer signings Daniele Ghilardi, Wesley and Neil El Aynaoui are all available, but Leon Bailey suffered an injury in his first training session so joins captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and suspended defender Zeki Celik on the sidelines.

While Dovbyk netted 12 league goals last term, Bologna winger Riccardo Orsolini scored 15, tying for third in the final Capocannoniere rankings.

He will now be aided by veteran striker Ciro Immobile, who returns to Italian football after a brief spell with Besiktas. Ranked eighth in Serie A's all-time scoring list - just four goals behind ex-Bologna star Roberto Baggio - Immobile found the target four times against Roma while with the Giallorossi's arch-rivals Lazio.

In addition to departed pair Dan Ndoye and Sam Beukema, the visitors are without two full-backs this weekend, as Emil Holm is injured and Juan Miranda must serve a suspension.

Roma possible starting lineup: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Ndicka; Wesley, Kone, El Aynaoui, Angelino; Dybala, Soule; Ferguson

Bologna possible starting lineup: Skorupski; De Silvestri, Vitik, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Ferguson, Freuler; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Immobile

We say: Roma 1-1 Bologna

It will take time for Roma to fully comprehend their new coach's demands, so they might have to settle for an opening-day draw against tough opponents.

Bologna may have wobbled once the Coppa Italia was won last season, but they are a well-drilled unit under Vincenzo Italiano and should be bound for the top 10 once again.

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