Prediction: Bologna vs Inter Milan

Verdict: Inter Milan win

Best odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: BetUS

Vying for a place in the Supercoppa Italiana final, last season’s Serie A runners-up Inter Milan and Coppa Italia holders Bologna will lock horns in Riyadh on Friday evening.

The winner will advance to Monday’s decider against either Napoli or AC Milan, with Bologna making their first-ever appearance in this competition.

Bologna

Since suffering a 6-1 thrashing in late 2022, Bologna have become a far tougher opponent for Inter, losing only once in their last five meetings. Their most recent clash ended in a dramatic 1-0 victory at Stadio Dall’Ara in April, courtesy of Riccardo Orsolini’s stoppage-time strike. Now, the Rossoblù aim to record consecutive wins over the Nerazzurri for the first time this century.

Having earned their Supercoppa debut by beating Milan in last season’s Coppa Italia final—a triumph that ended a 51-year wait for major silverware—Bologna approach this contest as a bonus opportunity. Under Vincenzo Italiano, they have impressed on multiple fronts, sitting sixth in Serie A, progressing in Europe, and starting their cup defense with a win over Parma earlier this month.

However, a 1-0 defeat to Juventus last weekend, compounded by Torbjorn Heggem’s red card, highlighted lingering defensive issues. Bologna have failed to keep a clean sheet in six straight matches, and facing Inter’s prolific attack twice in two weeks—this clash followed by a league meeting in January—will be a stern examination.

Team News

Santiago Castro is expected to lead the line after Thijs Dallinga squandered his chance against Juve, with Orsolini—who boasts five goal involvements in his last six games versus Inter—providing support.

Remo Freuler and goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski remain sidelined, while Martin Vitik and Nicolo Casale are injured and Jhon Lucumi is still battling a tendon issue. Heggem’s suspension applies only to Serie A.

Inter Milan

Inter missed out on a fourth consecutive Supercoppa last season, falling to Milan in a dramatic 3-2 defeat decided deep into stoppage time. That setback foreshadowed further disappointments in the Scudetto race and the Champions League final, but under Cristian Chivu, the Nerazzurri have regained their swagger.

With 11 wins from 15 league games, Inter sit atop Serie A, one point ahead of Milan and two clear of Napoli. Despite a controversial Champions League loss to Liverpool, they remain in contention for the last 16 and have strung together three straight league victories while booking a Coppa Italia quarter-final spot. Their attack is firing on all cylinders, scoring four against Como and two each versus Pisa and Genoa, with a dozen different players finding the net this season.

Lautaro Martinez, the Supercoppa’s all-time top scorer, has hit four goals in his last three matches and looks primed to deliver again.

Team News

Hakan Calhanoglu returns from an adductor injury, and Matteo Darmian is fit after a lengthy layoff, but Francesco Acerbi remains out with a thigh problem and Denzel Dumfries faces a long recovery following ankle surgery.

Martinez will lead the line, with Marcus Thuram, Francesco Pio Esposito, and Ange-Yoan Bonny vying to partner him.

Head-to-Head

Inter and Bologna share a storied rivalry, with the Nerazzurri historically dominant. Inter have won 87 of the 152 meetings between the sides, while Bologna have claimed 43 victories, with 22 draws.

In recent years, the gap has narrowed: Bologna have beaten Inter twice in their last five encounters, including April’s 1-0 triumph. However, Inter prevailed 2-0 in their most recent Supercoppa clash back in 2004, and they have scored in each of their last 10 games against the Rossoblù.

Conclusion

Bologna’s tactical discipline and attacking flair give them a fighting chance, but Inter’s depth and firepower—led by a red-hot Martinez—could prove decisive at Al-Awwal Park.

Expect a competitive contest, but the Nerazzurri are tipped to edge through and keep their sights firmly on silverware.

Verdict: Inter Milan win

Best odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: BetUS