Bologna vs Salzburg Prediction 28 November 2025

📢 What can we expect from the clash between Bologna and RB Salzburg in the 5th round of the Europa League? At the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, two teams leading in their respective domestic leagues will face off, yet both are struggling to secure points in Europe's second-tier club competition. Bologna sit 24th in the Europa League standings, while RB Salzburg are 28th, making it crucial for both sides to collect points to keep their playoff hopes alive. Neither team can afford a slip-up, which makes this upcoming encounter particularly intriguing.

Head-to-Head

📊 The teams have never faced each other before

Bologna Team Overview

🔴 Bologna are setting a high bar this season. Despite a rocky start with three losses in their first five matches across all competitions, they've since turned things around and remain unbeaten. Their recent performances have been impressive, including a commanding home victory over Napoli (2-0) and a decisive away win against Udinese (3-0). In the Serie A standings, the "Rossoblù" are doing well: they sit in fifth place with 24 points, just three points adrift of league leaders Roma.

🔵 However, their Europa League campaign tells a different story. Bologna have only secured 5 out of a possible 12 points and currently occupy the 24th spot in the table. The team struggles to secure victories even against lower-ranked opponents. In the previous round, for instance, they were held to a goalless draw at home by Norwegian side Brann (0-0). Yes, a red card in the 23rd minute complicated matters, but the Italians should have been able to overcome such an opponent even with ten men.

RB Salzburg Team Overview

🔴 RB Salzburg are widely recognized as the dominant force in Austrian football, clinching the league title every season from 2014 to 2023. However, the past two years have seen a shift in power, with Sturm Graz claiming back-to-back championships, as if a curse had been cast on the "Bulls." This season, RB Salzburg are determined to reclaim their throne and have made a strong start: after 14 rounds, they sit atop the table with 25 points. Nevertheless, their spirits are dampened ahead of their trip to Bologna. In the last round, the "Bulls" managed to lose at home to Tirol (2-3), despite leading 2-0 at halftime. The team relaxed too soon and paid the price dearly. The key now is to ensure that such a painful defeat doesn't affect their mindset.

⚪ In the Europa League, RB Salzburg's fortunes are considerably worse. They have only accumulated 3 points and currently sit in 28th place. Their sole victory came in the previous round at home against Go Ahead Eagles (2-0), a club from the lower half of the Eredivisie table. Despite having just 43% possession, the "Bulls" looked significantly more threatening and deservedly secured their first points.

Latest news

Bologna

📣 Bologna's head coach Vincenzo Italiano, following their commanding 3-0 victory over Udinese, noted that the team managed to turn the game around after a challenging first half: "We knew today would be tough. We held our ground in the first half, and two quick goals after the break paved our way to victory." The coach praised players who had previously seen less playing time: "All the guys who haven't featured much this season really stepped up. I dedicate this result and our current standing to the club." Italiano also highlighted the importance of the team's emotional energy: "I need to bring spirit, confidence, and enthusiasm, but it's the guys who take the field. We must continue to feed off the passion that fills the city and strike while the iron is hot."

🚫 Bologna face a significant list of absentees for their next match. Charalampos Lykogiannis will miss out due to suspension after receiving a red card in the last round. Remo Freuler remains sidelined until early January with a shoulder injury. First-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski won't return until late December due to a thigh injury. The participation of Ciro Immobile, Emil Holm, and Nicolo Cambiaghi is also highly doubtful.

RB Salzburg

📣 Red Bull Salzburg head coach Thomas Letsch was visibly disappointed after their home defeat to Tirol (2-3): "This loss is incredibly painful, and the level of disappointment is immense. We have only ourselves to blame for this result... Leading 2-0, we should have calmly seen the match out. With all due respect to our opponents, we needed to score a third goal to put the game to bed. The team simply wasn't sharp enough to close out the match in time."

🚫 Red Bull Salzburg are facing significant personnel issues. John Mellberg and Takuma Kawamura are sidelined with knee injuries. Karim Onisiwo is out for several weeks due to a muscle injury. Christian Zawisitsky is dealing with a back injury and will also miss several weeks. Karim Konate has suffered a knee injury but has returned to training, though his timeline for rejoining the squad remains uncertain.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Both teams showcase strong attacking prowess, albeit with different playing styles. In Serie A, Bologna rank second in goals scored (21), trailing only Inter (26). Meanwhile, RB Salzburg traditionally dominate their league and lead comfortably in goals (31). Both sides have a high conversion rate, making a bet on both teams to score (yes) a reasonable prediction.

🚩 Corner Prediction

While RB Salzburg may not match Bologna in terms of class, the Italian side is likely to stick to their usual strategy, ceding initiative to their opponents and focusing on quick counter-attacks. The Austrians, on the other hand, are unlikely to just pass the ball around midfield—they consistently push forward and aim to create chances in the opposition's box. Therefore, a bet on RB Salzburg over 2.5 corners seems justified, especially since the "Bulls" have hit this mark in their last five matches.