Napoli vs Bologna Prediction 13 September 2026
📢 The Italian runners-up have made a thoroughly unimpressive start - just three points from nine and a provisional 12th place in Serie A. Bologna, generally regarded as a solid mid-table side with European ambitions, have also had a difficult opening and picked up only one point. So the meeting at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona carries added significance for both sides: another poor result would noticeably increase the pressure on Napoli and Bologna alike.
Head-to-Head
📊 The two sides have met 42 times in recent years. Napoli hold the advantage with 21 wins to Bologna's 13, and 8 matches have ended in draws. Last season they faced each other three times. Bologna won both league meetings - 2-0 at home and 3-2 away. Napoli, however, came out on top in the Italian Super Cup final, winning 2-0.
Head-to-head statistics Napoli - Bologna
Napoli Team Overview
🔵 Napoli's early results have been disappointing. They did begin with an away win against a solid Genoa side, 2-0, but that was followed by three consecutive defeats. The quality of the opposition offers some mitigation - Como (1-2), Inter (2-3) in the league and Arsenal (0-1) in the Champions League - but when a club sets itself the highest targets, including a title challenge, points need to be taken everywhere.
⚪ The Arsenal match was particularly alarming. Despite the narrow scoreline, the game could easily have ended in a heavy defeat. Those who came to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to support their side witnessed the visitors' overwhelming dominance: Arsenal had more possession, had five times as many shots (26-5) and created five clear chances to Napoli's none. The xG difference was even more telling - 3.60 against 0.31. After such a bruising evening, the question is whether Napoli will have enough time to recover, both physically and mentally.
Match Results: Napoli
Bologna Team Overview
🔴 Over the previous three seasons, Bologna managed to win a trophy and play in the Champions League, but lately they seem to have reset to factory settings. The team have looked noticeably worse in terms of play, are increasingly dropping points against lower-ranked opponents, and are generally struggling for results. The first three rounds only confirm this - just one point from a possible nine and a provisional 15th place.
🔵 Bologna could have gone into the Napoli match without a single point to their name. It was only last weekend that they ended their poor run, drawing with Sassuolo 2-2. But there is little to celebrate: Bologna were at home, were considered favourites from the outset, yet had to come from behind twice. The second goal only came in stoppage time. It was telling that after Artem Dovbyk's goal, the team did not even stop to celebrate with him - they wanted to get the ball back to the centre circle as quickly as possible and try to snatch a winner. But a third goal never came.
Match Results: Bologna
Latest news
Napoli
❌ Napoli head into matchday four with several significant injury concerns. Alex Meret is unavailable with a thigh injury, Alessandro Buongiorno continues his recovery from a meniscus problem, and Luca Marianucci remains out with a ligament injury. Alisson Santos is also recovering from a thigh issue, Scott McTominay is sidelined due to a health problem, and Giovane Nascimento is out with a hernia. Most of them are not expected back until October.
Bologna
❌ Bologna have both personnel and managerial problems. Head coach Domenico Tedesco will miss the match through suspension after receiving a straight red card in the previous round. Oussama El-Azzouzi and Riccardo Orsolini are both continuing their recovery from thigh injuries and are expected to return around the end of September.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
This match is unlikely to produce many goals. Both sides are well below their best and are struggling to create and convert chances, particularly Bologna. The visitors also know their place in this fixture and will most likely set up defensively, sitting deep. That scenario points to a tight, low-scoring game, so the pick here is Total Goals - Under 2.5 at odds of 1.80*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Napoli tend to earn plenty of corners in home matches against Bologna. In 9 of their last 10 home meetings with Bologna, Napoli delivered at least six corners, and in the match in May that figure reached eight. On that basis, Napoli Team Total Corners - Over 5.5 at 2.05* looks an interesting option*.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
Napoli are clearly superior to their opponents in terms of player quality. The hosts have more technically gifted players who are comfortable on the ball and capable of beating their man one-on-one, which should force Bologna to do a lot of running. In that situation, the visitors will regularly have to break up attacks and resort to tactical fouls. Against that backdrop, Bologna to receive more yellow cards at 1.82* looks a logical selection.
* Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
In the bookmakers' view, Napoli are clear favourites for this match. The home side have everything in their favour - the difference in class, the head-to-head record and the home advantage. The problem is that Napoli have not been playing at a level that would give grounds for expecting a comfortable win. On top of that, they very recently played an extremely demanding match against Arsenal, which will almost certainly have taken a lot out of them physically and emotionally. Against that backdrop, Bologna should find it easier to defend and hold a score that suits them for as long as possible. Our main bet is therefore Total Goals - Under 2.5. That said, we do expect a narrow home win (1-0).
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Betting Tips: Napoli - Bologna
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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