BETTING GUIDE: Bologna vs Cremonense, match preview, team news and betting prediction
Reading Time: 5min | Mon. 01.12.25. | 12:26
Bologna’s ability to recover possession quickly and sustain waves of pressure at home has been a major factor in their scoring surge - nine goals in their last three matches across competitions
Seeking to extend their remarkable unbeaten streak and continue their push toward the Serie A top four, Bologna return to league action at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Monday, welcoming a Cremonese side whose form has dipped sharply after an initially promising start.
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With European qualification firmly in their sights and confidence high after recent domestic and continental success, Bologna enter this fixture knowing that a win could propel them into the top two depending on other weekend results.
Fifth on the log with 24 points from 12 matches (7 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses), Vincenzo Italiano’s men are one of the league’s most in-form teams.
For them, consistency at home and a growing offensive rhythm make this match not only winnable, but crucial in sustaining momentum heading into the festive period.
Cremonese, meanwhile, arrive in Emilia-Romagna desperately needing to arrest a worrying slide.
After losing just one of their first nine league fixtures, Davide Nicola’s men have now fallen to three consecutive defeats - against Juventus, Pisa and Roma - which has dropped them to 11th position with 14 points.
Their early season solidity has given way to defensive fragility and bluntness in attack.
Although they remain comfortably above the relegation zone, this negative run has highlighted concerns in their structure, especially when defending transitions and handling pressure from teams with superior technical quality.
Facing a Bologna side in rampant form, away from home, presents another stern test for a squad currently lacking confidence and rhythm.
Bologna’s recent performances reflect a team playing with authority and tactical clarity.
Their 4-1 demolition of Salzburg in mid-week Europa League action underlined their attacking depth and ability to control games at home.
That victory followed a dominant 3-0 win away at Udinese, meaning the Rossoblù have now gone 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions, scoring freely and defending with resilience.
Their Serie A profile shows a side capable of winning in multiple ways: controlling possession, punishing mistakes, and staying compact when protecting a lead.
With 11 different scorers already this season, Italiano has built a squad where contribution is shared across lines - a hallmark of sides that compete consistently at the top level.
Cremonese, by contrast, have struggled enormously in both penalty areas during their recent slump.
Their 3-1 home defeat to Roma summed up their issues: lapses in concentration at the back, difficulty handling wide overloads, and a lack of consistent penetration in the final third.
They have won just one of their last 10 matches and currently average only 1 goal per game, while conceding 1.33, a worrying ratio for a side that wants to remain mid-table.
Their away record has not been encouraging either, with only one win in their last five travels, and a clear vulnerability when facing high-pressing opponents.
Historically, Bologna have been the dominant side in this matchup - especially at home.
In fact, Cremonese have not won at the Dall’Ara for nearly 40 years, and their most recent meeting in 2023 ended in a crushing 5-1 victory for Bologna, a result that contributed to Cremo’s relegation that season.
Prior to that, the reverse fixture finished 1-1, but the gulf in form between the two sides is far greater this time.
Bologna’s home form has been exceptional: unbeaten this season with four wins and one draw, scoring comfortably and rarely looking unsettled.
In terms of team news, Bologna will be managing a few absentees.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, defender Kevin Bonifazi, captain Remo Freuler, and forward Jonathan Rowe are expected to miss out, but Italiano’s rotation policy has shown he can compensate effectively.
Players such as Santiago Castro, Nikola Moro, Emil Holm, and Charalampos Lykogiannis are all potential starters, giving the coach tactical flexibility.
Riccardo Orsolini, with five league goals, remains a key attacking threat and, importantly, scored in their last meeting with Cremonese.
Cremonese, on the other hand, are dealing with a cluster of injury concerns.
Defender Mikayil Faye, midfielder Michele Collocolo, and forward Faris Moumbagna could miss out.
There are late fitness tests for Zerbin and Grassi, while Payero also faces uncertainty.
Their main hopes in attack will rest on Federico Bonazzoli, who leads the team with four goals, and veteran striker Jamie Vardy, whose experience will be vital against Bologna’s disciplined centre-backs.
Tactically, Bologna are expected to attack aggressively, using their fluid 4-2-3-1 to dominate possession, press high, and force Cremonese into hurried turnovers.
Italiano’s philosophy prioritizes central compactness with dynamic fullback advancement, allowing wingers like Orsolini to isolate defenders.
Bologna’s ability to recover possession quickly and sustain waves of pressure at home has been a major factor in their scoring surge - nine goals in their last three matches across competitions.
Cremonese face a significant challenge here: their defensive transitions have been slow, and their midfield has struggled to resist pressure from teams with energy and structure.
Cremonese under Nicola usually operate in a compact 3-5-2, aiming to congest central areas and counter quickly through the channels.
However, their recent performances show they’ve been unable to maintain defensive shape for long spells, and their press has lacked cohesion.
To get a result, they will need to stay compact, absorb pressure, and exploit Bologna’s advance fullbacks using Vardy’s runs in behind. But sustaining resistance for 90 minutes against a side with Bologna’s offensive depth will be difficult.
Key Pointers
Cremonese have lost three straight league matches and have just one win in their last 10 games.
Bologna are unbeaten at home this Serie A season (4 wins, 1 draw).
Two of Cremonese’s last three defeats have seen over 2.5 goals.
Six of Bologna’s last 10 matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
Bologna have the psychological edge after beating Cremonese 5-1 in their most recent Serie A meeting.
Bologna are unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions and have scored nine goals in their last three outings.
With Bologna in superb form, scoring freely, and boasting one of the strongest home records in the league, they enter this match as clear favourites.
Cremonese’s defensive struggles, poor away form, and ongoing injury concerns further widen the gap.
Bologna’s intensity, tactical cohesion, and attacking variety should be too much for a Cremonese side lacking stability.
Prediction; Bologna to Win & Over 2.5 Goals
