Inter Milan vs Bologna

Serie A pacesetters Inter Milan welcome surprise package Bologna to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza this weekend.

Marcus Thuram’s second-half winner fired Inter Milan to a narrow 1-0 home triumph over Benfica in midweek Champions League action, putting them into the win column for the first time this term after a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on the opening day. Simone Inzaghi’s men have done well to bounce back from a shock 2-1 defeat to Sassuolo in their last home league outing, putting four unanswered second-half goals past Salernitana in a thumping 4-0 victory in the previous round. But ‘I Nerazzurri’ will likely have to win here to enter October’s international break at the summit, with only goal difference separating them from arch-rivals Milan at the top of the Serie A table. That shouldn’t be a mammoth task, considering they’ve emerged victorious in their last three top-flight H2Hs at home, netting a whopping 15 goals in the process.

On the other hand, Riccardo Orsolini’s superb hat-trick inspired Bologna to an overwhelming 3-0 home win over Empoli last weekend, helping them end a disappointing run of three consecutive 0-0 Serie A draws. But since a 2-0 opening-day home loss to Milan, Thiago Motta’s lads are unbeaten in all six league matches (W2, D4), suggesting they could turn their H2H fortunes around. Defensive solidity has been this team’s most prominent feature thus far, with ‘I Rossoblu’ coming into proceedings on an eye-catching four-game league run without conceding. However, goals have been at a premium for the visitors as they’ve drawn a blank in four of their opening seven Serie A fixtures, including the last two on the road.