Verona vs Bologna: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Serie A 2025/26

Verona vs Bologna — Match Preview

A tense Thursday night clash awaits at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi on 15 January 2026, as Hellas Verona host Bologna. The hosts are in dire straits, sitting 19th with just 13 points and fresh off a tight 0–1 loss to Lazio just four days ago. Paolo Zanetti’s men have shown flashes of fight—most notably the 2–2 draw with Napoli—but defensive lapses continue to haunt them. Bologna, meanwhile, are in a freefall of their own. Once challenging for the top 4, Vincenzo Italiano’s side have slipped to 9th (27 points) and are winless in their last seven league games. After a frustrating 1–1 draw with Como, the Rossoblu desperately need a win to reignite their European ambitions against a relegation-threatened opponent.

Verona vs Bologna — Match Info

• Competition: Serie A (Matchday 21)
• Venue: Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, Verona (Capacity: 39,211)
• Date: Thursday, 15 January 2026
• Kickoff: 18:30 CET | 17:30 GMT | 12:30 ET
• Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA)

Verona vs Bologna — Match Stakes

Verona (19th — 13 pts):

• Win → Moves to 16 pts; massive boost to close the gap on 17th place.
• Draw → Keeps the points ticking but insufficient to escape the drop zone.
• Loss → Disaster; remains stuck in 19th and confidence hits rock bottom with tough fixtures ahead.

Bologna (9th — 27 pts):

• Win → Moves to 30 pts; stops the rot and potentially climbs back into the top 8.
• Draw → Extends winless streak to 8 games; pressure mounts on Italiano.
• Loss → A crisis result; risks dropping into the bottom half of the table for the first time this season.

Verona vs Bologna — Team News

Verona:

• Suslov T. — Out (Knee Injury – Creative Hub Missing)
• Akpa Akpro J. — Questionable (Ankle Injury)
• Bella-Kotchap A. — Questionable (Injury)
• Tactical Shift: With Suslov out, Verona will rely on a back three of Nelsson, Valentini, and Nunez to stifle Bologna. Gift Orban leads the line, looking to use his pace on the counter.

Bologna:

• Cambiaghi N. — Out (Suspended – Red Card vs Como)
• Lucumi J. — Out (Injury – Defensive Leader Missing)
• Bernardeschi F. — Out (Collarbone Injury)
• Skorupski L. — Questionable (Thigh Injury – No. 1 GK Doubt)
• Bonifazi K. — Out (Inactive)
• GK Change: With Skorupski doubtful, Federico Ravaglia is expected to start in goal.
• Orsolini Returns: Riccardo Orsolini will be the key man on the wing, tasked with creating chances for Santiago Castro.

Verona vs Bologna — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Verona

• 11/01 — 0–1 vs Lazio (Serie A)
• 07/01 — 2–2 vs Napoli (Serie A)
• 04/01 — 0–3 vs Torino (Serie A)
• 28/12 — 0–3 vs AC Milan (Serie A)
• 14/12 — 2–1 vs Fiorentina (Serie A)

Bologna

• 10/01 — 1–1 vs Como (Serie A)
• 07/01 — 0–2 vs Atalanta (Serie A)
• 05/01 — 1–3 vs Inter (Serie A)
• 28/12 — 1–1 vs Sassuolo (Serie A)
• 23/12 — 0–2 vs Napoli (Supercoppa)

Verona vs Bologna — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

• 09/03/2025 — Verona 1–2 Bologna (Serie A)
• 31/12/2024 — Bologna 2–3 Verona (Serie A)
• 24/02/2024 — Bologna 2–0 Verona (Serie A)
• 01/11/2023 — Bologna 2–0 Verona (Coppa Italia)
• 19/09/2023 — Verona 0–0 Bologna (Serie A)

Verona vs Bologna — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Verona (3-5-2)

Montipò; Nunez, Nelsson, Valentini; Bradaric, Niasse, Gagliardini, Bernede, Frese; Giovane, Orban

Bologna (4-2-3-1)

Ravaglia; Zortea, Heggem, Vitik, Miranda; Ferguson, Pobega; Orsolini, Fabbian, Rowe; Castro

Verona vs Bologna — Impact Bench

Verona: Tengstedt (Target man), Lazovic (Experience)

Bologna: Dallinga (Goal threat), Moro (Midfield control)

Verona vs Bologna — Tactical Analysis

Verona

Verona will set up to be hard to beat, playing a 3-5-2 that can shift into a 5-3-2 defensively. Their goal difference of -16 is alarming, so protecting Montipò is priority number one. They will look to bypass Bologna’s press with long balls to Gift Orban, hoping his speed can exploit the space left by Bologna’s attacking full-backs (Zortea/Miranda).

Bologna

Bologna dominate possession but struggle to convert. Without Cambiaghi’s spark, Lewis Ferguson and Giovanni Fabbian must make late runs into the box to support Santiago Castro. They will target Verona’s wide center-backs, with Jonathan Rowe and Riccardo Orsolini looking to cut inside. The absence of Lucumi in defense makes them vulnerable to set-pieces, an area Verona (with Nelsson and Gagliardini) will target.

Verona vs Bologna — Key Battles

• Orban vs Vitik — Speed vs Positioning. Can the Czech defender handle Verona’s striker?
• Orsolini vs Frese — Bologna’s best attacker cutting inside against Verona’s wing-back.
• Ferguson vs Gagliardini — A physical battle for midfield supremacy.
• Ravaglia vs The Occasion — Backup GK stepping in under pressure; needs to command his box.

Verona vs Bologna — Spotlight Players

Verona — Gift Orban

The Nigerian striker is Verona’s primary hope. In a team that struggles to create, his ability to manufacture a goal from nothing is crucial.

Bologna — Riccardo Orsolini

The winger has been one of the few bright sparks in a dull run. With Cambiaghi suspended, he carries the creative burden. His delivery from wide areas and ability to shoot from distance will be key.

Verona vs Bologna — Prediction

Verona 1–2 Bologna

Both teams are out of form, but Bologna possess superior individual quality. Verona’s defense (-16 GD) has been too porous all season to trust against an attack featuring Orsolini and Castro. Expect a tight game, but Bologna should have just enough to end their winless streak and deepen Verona’s relegation crisis.

Verona vs Bologna — Betting Insights

• Bologna to Win — Value Bet (Superior squad quality).
• Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Verona concede heavily; Bologna defense shaky without Lucumi).
• Both Teams to Score — YES.

Verona vs Bologna — Where to Watch

• Italy: DAZN / Sky Sport
• USA: Paramount+
• UK: TNT Sports

Verona vs Bologna — FAQs

Q: When is the Verona vs Bologna match?

A: The match kicks off on Thursday, 15 January 2026, at 18:30 CET.

Q: Is Nicolo Cambiaghi playing?

A: No. He is suspended after receiving a red card in the previous match against Como.

Q: Who is in goal for Bologna?

A: With Skorupski doubtful, Federico Ravaglia is expected to start.

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