Roma vs Bologna predictions and betting tips – Go with goals as new era dawns at Roma

Roma will be seeking to get their Serie A season off to a winning start under new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini on Saturday. 

Bologna are the visitors to the Stadio Olimpico, and Vincenzo Italiano’s team will arrive at the Stadio Olimpico full of confidence after winning the Coppa Italia last season. 

With both teams likely to employ a high tempo style of play, goals could be the best way to go in this encounter.

• Roma to score over 1.5 goals – 6/5 with bet365
• BTTS (yes) – 17/20 with Paddy Power
• Matías Soulé to score or assist – 5/2 with BetMGM

Roma vs Bologna odds

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Roma vs Bologna predictions

A new dawn is beginning at Roma with the team now under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini. 

The former Atalanta boss has been given the go ahead to reshape the team’s playing style and identity as they seek to move on from their latest Claudio Ranieri era.

Gasperini has already made his plans clear. He wants to turn the Romans into a proactive high-pressing team playing on the front foot, similar to what he did during his time at Atalanta. 

To help achieve this, Gasperini has turned to youth. Daniele Ghilardi and Evan Ferguson have both been recruited in the summer, with the more experienced, but highly energetic, Leon Bailey also coming in from Aston Villa. 

Attempts are also being made to bring in Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho. Although, up to now, they have been without success.

The team will be looking for a stronger start to the season than they managed 12 months ago. After going through two managers by mid-November, Claudio Ranieri was brought in to salvage their season.

The veteran manager took the Giallorossi from 15th in the table to the brink of the top four and a place in the Champions League.

Roma eventually finished fifth in the table, one point outside of the Champions League places with 69 points from 38 matches.

Breaking into the top four and reestablishing the club in the Champions League will now be the challenge for Gasperini. The bookies are giving him a chance, with Roma fifth favourites for a top four finish at 11/8.

Roma’s preseason has been mixed. There have been wins over Cannes, Lens and Everton, along with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa. In their most recent runout, the Romans drew 2-2 with NEOM of the Saudi Pro League last Saturday. 

Bologna have been punching above their weight in recent years. They placed fifth in the 2023/24 campaign, a finish that saw them secure a place in the Champions League.

Things went okay in 2024/25, with the team struggling in Europe, but more than holding their own in Serie A. However, a poor finish saw Rossoblù finish ninth, having sat in fourth place with just five matches remaining. 

Overall, the campaign did end on a high note with the team lifting the Coppa Italia. The cup win also secured them another season of European football in 2025/26, albeit this time in the Europa League.

Bologna aren’t one of Italy’s biggest clubs, and again, they have been forced to sell in the summer. They will begin the new season without the services of Dan Ndoye, who left for Nottingham Forest in the summer transfer window. 

However, they have managed to retain the services of Scotland international Lewis Ferguson – which is a huge plus for the club. 

Their preseason has also been mixed with an excellent 1-0 win over Stuttgart in Germany followed by a 4-2 defeat at home to OFI Crete of the Greek Super League last weekend. 

Roma vs Bologna betting tips

Gian Piero Gasperini’s new look Roma will immediately be put to the test by Bologna this Saturday. See how they will get on in our match betting tips below:

Get set for goals under Gasperini

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta scored 78 goals in Serie A last season at an average of 2.05 goals per game. Only Inter with 79 found the net more often. 

The new head coach has only been at the club a few weeks, but it’s already clear that he wants the team to play in a similar style to what Atalanta did. 

Whether or not Gasperini has got the mix right just yet remains to be seen, but either way, we can see Roma playing on the front foot and taking the game to Bologna in front of their home fans.

Roma found the back of the net twice in both their fixtures with Bologna last season. We can see them doing it again on Saturday.

Tip – Back Roma to score two or more goals at 6/5 with bet365

Stick with BTTS after two from two in last season’s head-to-heads

Last season’s clashes between these two teams saw Roma lose 3-2 in the corresponding fixture and draw 2-2 in the reverse match in Bologna. 

Roma has scored in four of their five preseason friendlies, Bologna have scored in their four matches. 

We know what we are going to get from Gasperini’s Roma. It’s highly likely his team will find the net. 

Furthermore, if Gasperini’s players haven’t yet totally adapted to his style of play, there is a good chance they may leave gaps at the back. This makes backing both teams to score look like a solid wager.

Tip – Back yes in both teams to score at 17/20 with Paddy Power

Matías Soulé set to continue his good preseason form

Matías Soulé seems to be a player flourishing in the new system being used at Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini. 

The 22-year-old Argentine is being deployed in a role just behind the main striker, and he has already begun to flourish, scoring in Roma’s last three friendlies. 

Soulé registered five goals and five assists for Roma last season – with two of the goals and four of the assists coming in the final seven matches of the season. 

Given his current form, Soulé looks set to start against Bologna and is a good value bet to continue his excellent run of form.

Tip – Back Matías Soulé to score or assist at 5/2 with BetMGM

Roma vs Bologna predicted lineups

• Roma expected lineup: Svilar; Hermoso, Mancini, Ndicka; Wesley, Kone, El Aynaoui, Angelino; Dybala, Soule; Ferguson. 
• Bologna lineup: Skorupski; De Silvestri, Vitik, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Ferguson, Freuler; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Immobile.

Where to watch Roma vs Bologna

• Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy.
• Date and time: Saturday 23rd August, 7.45pm.
• How to watch: DAZN.

More Serie A predictions

Our site offers more Serie A predictions and match previews. You can find them at our match preview center, which has plenty of betting tips from our experienced writers.

About the author

Dean Etheridge

Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)

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