Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Roof bed
Desperately seeking a much-needed boost this weekend, Roma will welcome Bologna to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon.
Roma
Starting with the hosts, suffering a Europa League collapse earlier in the week as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Royale Union, it is no secret that Ivan Juric has a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders. With Roma facing a real must-win showdown on Sunday afternoon, the Wolves have come under increasing scrutiny this season. Opening November with an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of Verona, the former Torino boss has seen his downbeat squad win just a pair of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Showing a string of issues on either side of October’s international break, Roma remarkably find themselves scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the Serie A standings. It should also be highlighted, Juric’s men have collected just a single domestic victory at the Stadio Olimpico since the end of September.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term ankle injury and not making a single appearance since back on September 15th, AC Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers remains on the sidelines. Likewise, despite arriving from Atletico Madrid over the summer, Spanish defender Mario Hermoso remains a real doubt on Sunday afternoon.
Left as an unused away at Royale Union on Thursday night, Paulo Dybala will be hoping for a full recall this weekend. Recording four goals in his previous eight appearances for club and country, Ukrainian international Artem Dovbyk will shoulder Roma’s goalscoring threat here.
Bologna
As for the visitors, although Bologna might have collected back-to-back Serie A victories over the past fortnight, Vincenzo Italiano’s men came crashing back down to earth on Tuesday night. Enduring what has quickly become a real Champions League nightmare as they fell to a 1-0 loss at home against French outfit Monaco, the Greyhounds are desperately seeking some much-needed stability. Winning just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions, Sunday’s guests appear to have a major uphill battle on their hands in the race to punch another famous European ticket this season. However, potentially smelling a real opportunity this weekend, Bologna will be excited by their most recent trip to the Stadio Olimpico. Claiming a 3-1 win when they travelled to Roma back on April 22nd, Italiano’s side will be seeking a repeat performance here.
Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Bologna will once again be without the likes of Michel Aebischer, Nicolo Cambiaghi and Morocco international Oussama El Azzouzi. However, recently returning from a long-term knee injury, Scotland International Lewis Ferguson should get some more minutes under his belt.
Recording a pair of goals in his previous four appearances across all competitions, former Monaco striker Breel Embolo will lead Bologna’s charge. Making his move from Nottingham Forest a permanent one over the summer, Remo Freuler will start in the middle of the park.
Key Factors to Consider
When Bologna last travelled to Roma back on April 22nd, the Greyhounds collected a stellar 3-1 victory.
In fact, Bologna won each of their two Serie A showdowns against Roma last season by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Roma have collected just a pair of wins from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
Likewise, Bologna have won just a pair of their last eight matchups across all formats.
Each of Roma’s last three consecutive showdowns at the Stadio Olimpico have finished with under 1.5 goals.
Conclusion
Two sides who are desperately seeking some much-needed stability, we could be set for a cagey affair this weekend. Although Bologna might have stormed their way to a 3-1 victory when they travelled to the Stadio Olimpico back on April 22nd, chances could come at more of a premium here. With Roma seeing each of their previous three straight showdowns on home soil finish with under 1.5 goals, we could be set for a nervy affair on Sunday afternoon.
Verdict: Both teams to score – No
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Roof bed
