Inter suffered a shock home defeat in Europe in midweek. They are looking to bounce back when they take on Bologna in Serie A at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

Bologna Hit by Orsolini Blow

Bologna aren’t involved in any continental competitions, so they’ve had longer to prepare for this game. However, they are hampered by the injury absence of Riccardo Orsolini, who scored 10 times in 35 league appearances last season.

Arthur Theate is training again after a fitness issue, but Torbjørn Heggem, Nicolò Casale and Matteo Darmian may continue in defence following the 2-1 win at Lecce last time out. They’ll be tasked with trying to keep Inter's danger man Lautaro Martínez quiet.

Keepers Massimo Pessina and Łukasz Skorupski are involved in a close fight for the starting role. Pessina played in the previous match and made four saves, but he did make an error that led to a goal.

Bologna predicted lineup vs Inter (3-4-2-1): Pessina; Heggem, Casale, Darmian; Zortea, Ferguson, Pobega, Miranda; Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi; Piccoli.

Rotation Likely With Inter Reeling From Surprise Loss

Inter were beaten 4-3 by Club Brugge on Tuesday, which leaves them without a point after two Champions League games. Cristian Chivu will therefore be thinking about resting players ahead of next week’s home fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk.

That could mean the likes of Carlos Augusto, Petar Sučić and Aleksandar Stanković come into the side. However, Chivu may be reluctant to leave out important figures like Nicolò Barella, who has made five league starts and has completed 89% of his passes.

English duo John Stones and Curtis Jones are the main injury concerns for the visitors, who could also recall Pio Esposito in attack. The 21-year-old has scored twice in six Serie A outings.

Inter predicted lineup vs Bologna (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Carlos Augusto; Diouf, Barella, Stanković, Sučić, Dimarco; Esposito, L. Martínez.

Bologna vs Inter Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Bologna +1.5 Handicap
  • Odds: 1.575 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Bologna 2-2 Inter
  • 22Bet Booking Code: YBY26

Key stats:

  • Bologna are yet to lose by more than a single goal in six outings this season.
  • Across all competitions, Inter have only won on one of their past six trips to this stadium, and that victory came by a 1-0 margin.
  • The visitors have conceded at least twice in five of their past six competitive fixtures.

Inter’s defensive struggles point to a difficult 90 minutes for the reigning champions. Chivu’s team have let in 1.33 goals per game on average in Serie A, and have
conceded six times across their two European outings.

That suggests the value lies with Bologna, although Inter will be motivated to respond to their dismal European display. That’s the main risk for the hosts, but Raffaele Palladino’s team are improving with just one defeat in their past four matches. Backing them with a +1.5 handicap is the smart move at 1.575.

Bologna vs Inter Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Lautaro Martínez to score anytime
  • Odds: 2.162 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: HS926

While Inter have been poor at the back, they continue to fire in attack, with Lautaro Martínez in great form. He has scored eight goals across his past eight appearances for club and country.

The Argentine is averaging a strike every 88 minutes in Serie A this term. Backing him to score at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara offers value at odds of 2.162.

Verdict: Bologna +1.5 Handicap (1.575) — Bologna 2-2 Inter.