- Cremonese are 17th in Serie A after 30 games with 27 points, struggling for survival.
- Bologna F.C. are 9th in Serie A after 30 games, with 42 points and a top-half berth their goal.
- Bologna F.C. are on a two-match unbeaten run on the road, winning both.
Survival battle awaits Cremonese
Bologna F.C. are fresh from an incredible 4-3 away victory over AS Roma after extra time in the UEFA Europa League, but Vincenzo Italiano’s side could not follow that up with a disappointing 0-2 home defeat to SS Lazio in Serie A.
The two results encapsulate this team perfectly, they can be sensational when they are on song, but have also shown the ability to let games slip through their fingers when they are off their game. After 30 matches, Bologna F.C. are 9th in Serie A, and they’ve collected 42 points, more than enough for a top-half finish, if they can maintain their form.
Italiano’s philosophy since taking charge in June 2024 has been clear, to press high and play a high-tempo game. Bologna F.C. deploy a flexible 4-2-3-1 system, but their width, high-pressing game and quick passing play allow them to dictate games and they’ve picked up some impressive results on the road recently.
They will face a different type of test on Sunday, against a Cremonese side that have played a pragmatic 3-5-2 system, sitting deep with a compact block and looking to hit with speed in the centre of the pitch. The hosts have lost both of their last 2 home matches, but after 30 matches they sit 17th in the table with 27 points, on the brink of relegation.
Both teams to score and Over 2.5 goals expected
This is a big game for Cremonese, but Bologna F.C. will want to keep up their good form and continue to impress their dynamic style of football on the rest of Europe. The visitors have an excellent away record in Serie A, winning 7, drawing 4 and losing only 4 of their 15 matches, and they can make things difficult for Cremonese.
Cremonese have won 2 of their home games in Serie A, drawing 6 and losing 6, and they have failed to make Stadio Giovanni Zini a fortress in Serie A this season. However, they have enough about them to cause problems for Bologna F.C. Marco Giampaolo has come in and tried to steady the ship as Cremonese look to avoid the drop, but they have won only once in 5 games, losing 4.
Bologna F.C. should be able to play their football and their pressing and vertical passing should stretch the home side, but Giampaolo’s disciplined block can also make them work for their chances, and I think the visitors will have to break the hosts down, rather than play at their own pace. This should lead to a high-scoring match, with both teams to find the net and over 2.5 total goals.
Bologna F.C. are the favourites for this match, and they can take the 3 points away from Cremonese. There is some recent history here, with Bologna F.C. and Cremonese sharing 2 wins from their 3 previous head-to-head meetings in Serie A, Cremonese’s win coming away from home just 4 months ago.
This is the most likely result for the game, but the odds are a little short at 2.0, so I’m sticking to the both teams to net and Over 2.5 odds here.
