The first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League last-16 tie between Bologna FC 1909 (Italy) and AS Roma (Italy) will take place on 12 March at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium. Bologna FC 1909 vs AS Roma: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Bologna FC 1909
The Italians were too strong for Brann in the play-offs, beating their opponents 1:0 in both legs. As a result, the team have won five of their last six matches in the Europa League (one draw). In addition, Bologna FC 1909 have kept a clean sheet in three straight games in this competition. At the same time, their scoring run in the Europa League stands at six matches. It is worth recalling that last season the club failed to get through the league phase of the Champions League.
- The team have conceded more than one goal in only one of their last 13 European matches.
- Vincenzo Italiano's side are unbeaten in nine consecutive Europa League matches (six wins, three draws).
- On home soil, Bologna FC 1909 have scored in six of their last seven matches in European competition.
Potential Bologna FC 1909 Lineup (4-5-1)*
Lukasz Skorupski – Jhon Lucumi, Joao Mario, Nadir Zortea, Martin Vitik – Nikola Moro, Jonathan Rowe, Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, Santiago Castro – Federico Bernardeschi.
Defenders Juan Miranda and Turbjoern Heggem are injured.
AS Roma
The Romans finished eighth in the league phase. The team avoided defeat in six of eight matches (five wins, one draw) and also recorded three clean sheets. Although the club failed to score in only one match in the main round, in terms of total goals scored (13) AS Roma were behind eight opponents. We should also add that the Romans have reached the Europa League last 16 in each of the last eight seasons in which they have taken part in this tournament. However, they have managed to progress from this stage only three times during that spell.
- At least two goals have been scored in AS Roma's last six Europa League matches.
- Away from home in the Europa League, the club have avoided defeat in five of their last six matches (three wins, two draws).
- In six of the last seven away games in this tournament, the team have conceded no more than one goal.
Potential AS Roma Lineup (3-5-2)*
Pierluigi Gollini – Zeki Celik, Jan Ziolkowski, Daniele Ghilardi – Kostas Tsimikas, Bryan Cristante, Niccolo Pisilli, Gianluca Mancini, Neil El Aynaoui – Lorenzo Pellegrini, Matias Soule.
Defender Mario Hermoso and forwards Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Matias Soule and Evan Ferguson will miss the match through injury. Defender Gianluca Mancini is suspended.
Referee
Sven Jablonski (Germany)
Matches – 7 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Fouls per match on average – 23;
Penalties – 0%.
Bologna FC 1909 vs AS Roma: Match Prediction
The sides know each other well from domestic competition. The visitors are 12 points clear of Vincenzo Italiano's team, and they also won the first-round meeting (1:0). We believe AS Roma will have a better chance of securing a positive result in the upcoming match as well.
Bologna FC 1909 have looked strong in the Europa League, but the club have also enjoyed favourable opponents. The Italians have not managed to beat two representatives from Europe's top-five leagues. It is also worth noting the team's dreadful home results: in their last nine Serie A matches at home, they have suffered seven defeats (one win, one draw). Moreover, over that spell the club have not scored more than one goal in a single match.
The visitors are in far better form. Gian Piero Gasperini's men have avoided defeat in eight of their last 10 league matches (five wins, three draws). In addition, the team have not lost a single away match in the 2025/26 Europa League. It is also worth adding that in terms of defensive reliability AS Roma are in the top three in the Serie A, which is another factor in the visitors' favour against a low-scoring home side.
Prediction: AS Roma Draw No Bet
* For each team, the starting line-up from their last match in this tournament is listed.
