Bologna vs Cagliari: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 03.05.2026
One of the fixtures of Serie A's Matchday 35 will take place on Sunday at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna, where the local side hosts Cagliari. The home team has almost lost its chances of returning to European competitions, while the visitors are just a step away from securing their Serie A status for next season.
Match preview
Bologna, after being eliminated from the Europa League, is gradually losing sharpness and motivation for the season's finish. Vincenzo Italiano's side has lost its last two Serie A games without scoring — first 0-2 to Juventus, then by the same scoreline at home to Roma — and now the gap to the European spots looks almost insurmountable.
The home slump is particularly worrying: in 2026, Bologna has lost seven out of nine league matches at the Dall'Ara. However, the clash with Cagliari could offer a rare chance for a home rebound — history is on the hosts' side at this ground, and Riccardo Orsolini traditionally shines against the Sardinians.
Cagliari travel to Bologna fresh off one of their most spectacular wins of the season — a 3-2 triumph over Atalanta. Two quick goals from Paul Mendy, a decisive strike by Gennaro Borrelli, and a composed performance from Elia Caprile gave Fabio Pisacane's team a crucial boost in the survival race.
Now the visitors have an eight-point cushion above the relegation zone, but they can't relax yet: the run-in remains tricky, and Cagliari have lost their last three away games, conceding eight goals. To make matters worse, the heroes of the Atalanta match — Mendy and Borrelli — are sidelined with muscle injuries, which significantly dents the team's attacking threat.
Probable lineups
- Bologna: Ravaglia, Zortea, Lucumí, Heggem, Miranda, Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega, Orsolini, Castro, Dominguez.
- Cagliari: Caprile, Ze Pedro, Mina, Dossena, Palestra, Deiola, Gaetano, Adopo, Obert, Folorunsho, Esposito.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Bologna are unbeaten in their last 12 home games against Cagliari.
- Bologna have won the last four home meetings with Cagliari.
- Riccardo Orsolini has scored six goals in his last six Serie A matches against Cagliari.
- Both teams have scored in six of the last eight head-to-heads at Bologna's ground in Serie A.
- Bologna have won the corner count with a -1.5 handicap in eight of the last head-to-heads at home in Serie A.
- Cagliari have picked up at least two yellow cards in each of their last eight visits to Bologna in Serie A.
Prediction
Bologna look like a team whose season is starting to slip away, but this is exactly the kind of match that could spark a reaction. The hosts have had time to regroup after a packed April, and their home record against Cagliari offers a psychological edge. Cagliari come into this on a high after their win over Atalanta, but the absence of Mendy and Borrelli robs them of their freshest attacking outlet. The visitors are capable of making a contest of it and exploiting any nerves in the Bologna camp, but the squad depth and the Dall'Ara factor slightly tip the prediction in favour of the home side.
