7M - Serie A Preview: Cremonese vs Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

Cremonese host Bologna at Stadio Zini this Sunday as the Serie A season enters its decisive final stretch. The hosts are locked in a fierce relegation battle, while the visitors balance domestic ambitions with their ongoing Europa League campaign.

Match preview

Bologna arrive in strong form, having secured four victories in their last six league outings and famously eliminating Roma from the Europa League with a dramatic away win. However, a 2-0 home defeat to Lazio before the international break left them ninth in the table, effectively ending their hopes of a top-seven Serie A finish. With European qualification via the league looking unlikely, Vincenzo Italiano's side may now prioritize their continental adventure, including an upcoming quarter-final clash with Aston Villa.

Notably, Bologna have won six consecutive away matches across all competitions for the first time in their history, boasting the fourth-best road record in Serie A this term. Their ability to perform on the road could prove crucial in this fixture.

Cremonese, meanwhile, have shown signs of revival under returning head coach Marco Giampaolo. His appointment ended a dismal 15-match winless run that included 11 defeats, with a convincing 2-0 victory over Parma just before the international break providing vital momentum. Now level on points with 18th-placed Lecce and with only eight matches remaining, every result carries significant weight in their fight for survival.

Team News

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano may opt to rotate his squad with the Europa League quarter-final against Aston Villa approaching midweek. Only Jens Odgaard and first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remain sidelined through injury, with Federico Ravaglia continuing in goal. Riccardo Orsolini, who scored in the reverse fixture but has failed to find the net in his last 12 league appearances, faces competition for his starting role.

For Cremonese, Jamie Vardy is expected to return to the starting lineup after missing the Parma win through injury, potentially partnering Federico Bonazzoli up front. Warren Bondo returns from suspension and Federico Baschirotto has resumed full training, but Michele Collocolo and Antonio Sanabria remain unavailable through injury.

Cremonese possible starting lineup:
Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto; Zerbin, Grassi, Maleh, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy

Bologna possible starting lineup:
Ravaglia; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler; Orsolini, Bernardeschi, Rowe; Castro

Prediction: Cremonese 1-1 Bologna

Historical trends favor a tight contest, with seven of the last 10 league meetings between these sides ending in a draw. Cremonese will be highly motivated by their recent upturn and survival stakes, while Bologna's exceptional away form makes them difficult to overcome. With Bologna potentially managing player workload ahead of European duty, a cautiously contested match with limited clear-cut chances is anticipated.