Bologna Form
Bologna are in a deep crisis. In six matches they have only two wins, and both of those came against relegation candidates. In the other games the team of Italiano looked very poor: they scored just once while conceding 11 goals. This is down to a flood of injuries, but that is hardly any consolation for the fans. On the contrary, it is clear that progress should not be expected any time soon.
Key Bologna numbers:
Bologna are 10th for expected goals xG (40).
Bologna are eighth for touches in the opposition box (22.3).
Bologna are ninth for tackles in the final third (3.5).
Potential Bologna lineup (4-3-3): Federico Ravaglia — Nadir Zortea, Jhon Lucumi, Thorbjorn Heggem, Juan Miranda — Remo Freuler, Simon Sohm, Tommaso Pobega — Riccardo Orsolini, Santiago Castro, Nicolo Cambiaghi.
Out: Federico Bernardeschi, Lukasz Skorupski, Eyvind Helland, Thijs Dallinga, Nicolo Casale, Benjamin Dominguez (all injured).
Roma Form
Roma are doing everything they can to cling on to the top five. In the previous round they shared the points with Atalanta (1:1), although the visitors were much stronger (19-8 on shots). Gasperini is showing a masterclass in crisis management, completely masking the absence of key players. His ability to rotate the squad is something to be envied.
Key Roma numbers:
Roma are fifth for average possession (56.2%).
Roma are second for interceptions (9.1) and third for regaining possession in the final third (4.4).
Roma have the third-best defence in the league (0.9 goals per game).
Potential Roma lineup (3-4-3): Mile Svilar — Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Mario Hermoso — Zeki Celik, Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, Kostas Tsimikas — Matias Soule, Donyell Malen, Stephan El Shaarawy.
Out: Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Manu Kone, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Wesley Franca, Devyne Rensch (all injured).
