Bologna vs Inter – Predictions, Betting Tips & Match Preview | OneFootball

King Saud University Stadium forms the backdrop for a high-stakes Supercoppa Italiana semi-final clash between Bologna and Inter. Friday’s showdown in Riyadh marks the first-ever Super Cup meeting between these two teams.

Bologna halted a 51-year title drought last season, as they beat Milan in the Coppa Italia final. In doing so, they have secured their maiden appearance in the Italian Super Cup and an opportunity to add to their dusty trophy cabinet. However, that task is nothing short of Herculean.

Reaching the title-deciding fixture will require Vincenzo Italiano’s side to overcome Cristian Chivu’s high-flying Inter. Unlike their rivals, the San Siro giants boast a rich Super Cup history, having won this title eight times, most recently in 2023. Yet, their last appearance didn’t go to plan.

Simone Inzaghi’s side seemed on the verge of beating Milan in last year’s edition, only for the Rossoneri to pull off a stunning second-half comeback and win 3-2. As such, Inter will take the field with vengeance, buoyed by a four-game winning streak in domestic action.

Needless to say, the 20-time Serie A champions head into proceedings as favorites, with the leading bookmakers pricing them at 1.65 to reach the grand final. However, defying the odds has become a trait often associated with Bologna during Italiano’s regime.

Bologna’s outsider odds of 5.9 reflect their knack for springing another surprise, which could serve as an invitation to wager.

Many readers also compare these prices with regulated platforms, such as AAMS betting sites at Sitiscommesseaams.it, which track odds across licensed operators.

Without further ado, let’s preview this handsomely-looking showdown.

Full-Time Result

Playing at a neutral venue could be a blessing in disguise for Bologna after Juventus condemned them to back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since January 2022. Luciano Spalletti’s side eked out a narrow 1-0 win at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara last Sunday, derailing Bologna’s spirits ahead of this Saudi-held showpiece.

Despite their patchy five-game form in all competitions (W2, D1, L2), Bologna can draw confidence from their recent record against Inter. Indeed, Italiano’s men have avoided defeat in five of their last six clashes against the Nerazzurri (W3, D2), including a hard-fought 1-0 home victory in their most recent encounter in April.

Avenging that dreadful run will be firmly on Inter’s agenda, as Chivu aims to win his first trophy in charge of the San Siro powerhouse. Despite lacking experience in senior management, the 45-year-old has steered the Nerazzurri to the top of Serie A, courtesy of a dramatic 2-1 away win over Genoa last weekend.

Keen to impress on his touchline debut in the Italian Super Cup, Chivu can take heart from Inter’s purple patch. Further confidence stems from Inter’s eye-catching return of three victories from the last four Supercoppa editions. Therefore, it’s hard not to back Inter to get a step closer to equaling Juventus’ record of nine titles in this competition.

Over/Under Market

With five of Bologna’s last six matches featuring both teams on the scoresheet, it’s reasonable to expect an open-ended contest. Adding to this sentiment, three of Inter’s four games ahead of their trip to Saudi Arabia produced at least three goals, highlighting the potential for a high-scoring fixture.

It’s also worth noting that two of the last five meetings between Bologna and Inter yielded an identical 2-2 scoreline.