Inter Milan make the trip to Bologna on Sunday looking to strengthen their hold of second place in the Serie A standings.
At a time when the visitors sit 15 points adrift of leaders Napoli, Bologna occupy eighth spot after a strong run of form since the turn of the year.
Match preview
© Reuters
With Napoli having dropped just seven points all season, the remainder of Serie A are currently powerless to stop them from winning the title, leaving the other expected contenders to battle for runners-up.
As it stands, Inter look best placed to finish in second spot, Simone Inzaghi's team collecting 10 points from their last four matches to move clear of their rivals.
Although a recent goalless draw at Sampdoria came as a disappointment, Inter responded with a 3-1 victory over Udinese, Romelu Lukaku making a long-awaited return to the scoresheet albeit from the penalty spot.
However, the Belgian was able to net from open play in midweek as Inter posted a 1-0 victory over Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
While the Chelsea loanee is yet to complete 90 minutes for club or country since August, a confident Lukaku could make the difference to Inter when it comes to qualifying for European football's premier competition next season.
© Reuters
Another fixture against none of the 'big seven' will be welcomed by the visitors, but Bologna have recently emerged as the best of the rest in Serie A.
Thiago Motta's side have posted 13 points from their most recent six fixtures, three of their four victories coming on away territory.
Despite the most notable of those triumphs coming against a struggling Fiorentina side, their recent burst has established a 15-point gap ahead of the relegation zone, freeing them up to throw everything at gatecrashing the top seven.
That said, Inter, Lazio, Atalanta BC and AC Milan are all to come in their next seven outings, highlighting that they cannot afford to get ahead of themselves at this stage of the season.
Team News
© Reuters
Stefan Posch is expected to miss out for Bologna after suffering a muscle injury during the first half at Sampdoria.
Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was introduced in his place and should start at left-back on Sunday, with Andrea Cambiaso switching to the opposite side.
With Marko Arnautovic likely to miss out with a hip problem, the rest of the starting lineup could stay the same.
Lukaku may be restored to the Inter XI after making an impact as a substitute in the Champions League, potentially taking the place of Edin Dzeko.
Marcelo Brozovic could also return for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with Denzel Dumfries possibly getting the nod over Matteo Darmian at right wing-back.
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; Cambiaso, Lucumi, Sosa, Kyriakopoulos; Schouten, Dominguez; Orsolini, Ferguson, Soriano; Barrow
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Onana; Skriniar, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Brozovic; Dimarco; Lukaku, Martinez
We say: Bologna 1-3 Inter Milan
Despite the difference in league positions, this has all the makings of being one of the more competitive fixtures in Serie A this weekend. Nevertheless, although we feel that Bologna will push their more illustrious opponents for much of the encounter, the visitors' extra quality could shine through during the latter stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
