Bologna vs Chievo preview - Diamanti focused on survival

Bologna are riding a hot streak with just one defeat in their last 11 Serie A games heading into Sunday's match against Chievo.

Despite climbing to ninth in the league standings, however, Bologna's players are remaining cautious, and top-flight survival is the only aim for the Rossoblu.

"We are going through a positive time," Bologna striker Alessandro Diamanti said.

"We are doing well and we are very happy. We believe in ourselves and we are able to implement what we learn in training on the pitch.

"But the season will only be perfect for us once we will have 42 or 43 points.

"We are close but we still have to get there."

Last weekend's 3-1 triumph at Lazio allowed Bologna to leapfrog Chievo in the standings.

They are one point clear of the Flying Donkeys with 35 points.

Chievo, meanwhile, will not have coach Domenico Di Carlo on the sidelines because of his tirade during last Friday's 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan.

Di Carlo will have to watch Sunday's match from the stands at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara as he serves a one-match touchline ban.

The result ended Chievo's three-match unbeaten run and left the Verona team in 11th place.

"We didn't play as well as we have done in recent weeks against Inter," Di Carlo said.

"We made too many mistakes and we were made to pay. Now we must focus on another difficult game at Bologna."

Bologna will be without midfielder Federico Casarini, who fractured a bone in his left foot in training this week.