Roma vs Bologna Predictions

• Roma have not beaten Bologna in the last five attempts
• Bologna have won two and drawn one of their last four visits to Stadio Olimpico to face the Giallorossi
• Bologna drew five of their last 12 Serie A away games last term

New era dawns for Roma under Gasperini

Roma ushered in a new dawn during the summer when they lured Gian Piero Gasperini to their bench after nine hugely successful years at the helm of Atalanta. And the Stadio Olimpico faithful will expect to see a much better performance from his side when they open their Serie A campaign at home to Bologna on Saturday evening.

Gasperini has been up front with the Giallorossi fans, telling them he cannot promise that his new-look side will be competitive and cohesive from the get-go. That is a clever move to relieve some pressure and manage expectations, whether he means it or not, but there did look to be plenty of work to do in pre-season when his side lost 4-0 to Aston Villa.

Roma did bounce back with a win against Everton and a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Saidi Pro League side Neom. Meanwhile, Bologna lost their last friendly against OFI Crete, after beating Levadiakos and Stuttgart.

Rossoblu can rain on Roma’s parade

Pre-season results count for nothing when the serious stuff begins and Bologna will be desperate to show more than they did at the back end of last season when two draws and three defeats in their final five games saw them finish a lowly ninth.

Vincenzo Italiano delivered the Coppa Italia, however, so he remains on fairly safe ground and his side did take four points off Roma last term, winning the corresponding fixture 3-2.

Given Roma are still in the process of adjusting to Gasperini’s demands and foibles, Bologna are value to avoid defeat on this trip south. The Rossoblu have won two and drawn one of their last four meetings in the capital and can scrap out a dramatic 2-2 draw.