Bologna vs Atalanta Prediction - Serie A: A direct clash for 7th place

The match between Bologna and Atalanta will take place at 00:30 on January 8, 2026, at the Stadio Renato Dal'Ara. This is a highly anticipated clash between two teams closely matched in the league standings, where the winner will gain a significant advantage in the race for a European Cup spot next season.

Position in the rankings and current context

Currently, Bologna are in 7th place with 26 points, just above Atalanta in 8th place with 25 points. This narrow gap makes this encounter a typical "six-point" match in Serie A.

Analysis of form and playing style

Bologna: Home advantage and defensive stability

Despite a dip in form over their last five matches with two draws and three losses, Bologna remains a formidable opponent when playing at Renato Dal'Ara. After 17 matches played, they have secured seven wins, including four home victories.

Bologna's strength lies in their relatively solid defense, conceding an average of only 1.0 goal per game. In attack, they maintain an average of 1.5 goals per game, a figure sufficient to put pressure on any defense in the league.

Atalanta: The resilience of the away team.

In contrast to the home team, Atalanta is currently in more positive form with 3 wins in their last 5 matches. The Bergamo team has played 18 matches this season, achieving 6 wins and 7 draws.

However, Atalanta's attacking performance is somewhat more modest compared to their opponents, averaging only 1.2 goals per game. Their ability to capitalize on opportunities away from home (having only won 2 away matches) will be a challenge that the Atalanta coaching staff needs to address in this away game.

Head-to-head history: Bologna holds the advantage.

Data from the last 5 encounters shows that Bologna is Atalanta's nemesis. The home team has won 3 matches, drawn 1, and lost only once against their Bergamo opponents.

• April 13, 2025: Atalanta 2 - 0 Bologna
• February 5, 2025: Atalanta 0 - 1 Bologna
• September 29, 2024: Bologna 1 - Atalanta 1
• March 4, 2024: Atalanta 1 - 2 Bologna
• December 23, 2023: Bologna 1 - 0 Bologna

Tactical analysis and predictions

With home advantage and a favorable head-to-head record, Bologna is considered more likely to secure points. Analysts give a 35% chance of a home win and a 35% chance of a draw. The probability of Atalanta taking home all three points is set at 30%.

The match is predicted to be low-scoring, befitting the tactical nature of a direct confrontation. Bologna is expected to employ a possession-based style of play to limit Atalanta's counter-attacking potential, aiming to maintain their 7th position in the league table.

Team lineup updated at 23:53 on 07/01/2026

Official lineup

Bologna

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachVincenzo Italiano

Starting lineup:

• 13. Federico Ravaglia (G)
• 20. Nadir Zortea (D)
• 41. Martin Vitík (D)
• 14. Torbjørn Heggem (D)
• 33. Juan Miranda (D)
• 8. Remo Freuler (M)
• 19. Lewis Ferguson (M)
• 7. Riccardo Orsolini (M)
• 80. Giovanni Fabbian (M)
• 28. Nicolò Cambiaghi (M)
• 24. Thijs Dallinga (F)

Substitutes:

• 25. Massimo Pessina
• 82. Matteo Franceschelli
• 2. Emil Holm
• 26. Jhon Lucumí
• 29. Lorenzo De Silvestri
• 22. Charalampos Lykogiannis
• 16. Nicolò Casale
• 21. Jens Odgaard
• 6. Nikola Moro
• 4. Tommaso Pobega
• 30. Benjamín Domínguez
• 77. Ibrahim Sulemana
• 9. Santiago Castro
• 17. Ciro Immobile
• 11. Jonathan Rowe

Atalanta

Diagram: 3-4-2-1

CoachRaffaele Palladino

Starting lineup:

• 29. Marco Carnesecchi (G)
• 42. Giorgio Scalvini (D)
• 19. Berat Djimsiti (D)
• 69. Honest Ahanor (D)
• 77. Davide Zappacosta (M)
• 15. Marten de Roon (M)
• 13. Anderson (M)
• 47. Lorenzo Bernasconi (M)
• 17. Charles De Ketelaere (F)
• 59. Nicola Zalewski (F)
• 90. Nikola Krstović (F)

Substitutes:

• 57. Marco Sportiello
• 31. Francesco Rossi
• 4. Isak Hien
• 8. Mario Pašalić
• 10. Lazar Samardžić
• 6. Yunus Musah
• 44. Marco Brescianini
• 70. Daniel Maldini
• 7. Kamaldeen Sulemana