Roma vs Bologna tips and predictions: Champions League contenders to play out draw
- Sergiu Baltuta
- 22 April 2024
Roma face Bologna on Monday evening knowing a win over their rivals will increase their chances of a Champions League return, given that Serie A will likely have five spots next season (1730 BST).
AS Roma just managed to qualify to the Europa League semi-finals, after claiming a 2-1 win in the second leg against Milan.
The result came as a bit of a surprise, considering that the team led by Daniele de Rossi were seen as underdogs against the Rossoneri. They managed to win both games though, and before that they managed a 1-0 win against fierce rivals Lazio in the Serie A.
There’s a good chance now that Roma’s qualification to the Champions League will no longer depend on winning the Europa League.
The “Wolves” need to secure a spot in the top five and With 55 points after 31 games, Roma are four points behind Bologna with a game in hand, and one point ahead of fellow Europa League semi-finalists Atalanta having played one game fewer.
Bologna have a great chance of qualifying to the Champions League for the first time ever.
Since the beginning of February, Bologna have won eight of their 11 games and have lost just once during that period, which was five rounds ago against runaway leaders Inter.
Since then they haven't conceded any goals, with clean sheets in wins againts Empoli and Salernitana and goalless draws against Monza and Frosinone.
Besides the fact that they aren’t playing in Europe, Bologna also have an easier schedule in the run in. Following this match, the only difficult opponents on paper they play are Napoli and Juventus.
However, Roma still have to play, among others, Napoli, Juventus and Atalanta, in Serie A.
In the last five meetings between these two teams, Roma have only won once, with two Bologna wins and two draws, so the draw option looks like the best bet here.
Key stats
- Roma have won only one of their last five against Bologna
- Roma are unbeaten in their last seven Serie A games
- Bologna have only conceded 25 goals this season, only leaders Inter have conceded fewer goals
- Bologna have lost just three away games this season, drawing eight and winning four
