Napoli vs Bologna: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 11.05.2026
One of the headline clashes of Serie A's matchday 36 will take place on Monday in Naples, where Napoli host Bologna at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The hosts are on the brink of sealing a Champions League spot and could still finish second, while the visitors are winding down the season with little left to play for. That sets the stage for a prediction on this encounter with promising odds for success.
Match preview
Napoli have officially handed over the Scudetto to Inter, but Antonio Conte's side can't afford to take their foot off the pedal in the run-in. After a goalless draw with Como, the Neapolitans maintained a comfortable cushion over fifth-placed Roma, but Champions League qualification still needs to be mathematically secured.
The home advantage is a major asset here: Napoli have won 20 of their last 28 Serie A matches at home, suffering just one defeat in that run. The injury list is clearing up, Giovanni Di Lorenzo is close to returning, and the Højlund–De Bruyne–McTominay trio should give the hosts enough quality to break down an opponent who are currently struggling for goals.
Bologna come into this one in the midst of a prolonged slump: following their Europa League exit, Vincenzo Italiano's men have failed to score in any of their last three Serie A matches. Last time out, the Rossoblù played out a 0-0 draw with Cagliari, a result that only highlighted their main issue - an attack that's lost its edge, with false nine experiments falling flat.
Still, you can't count the visitors out entirely: Bologna have looked much better on the road than at home and boast one of Serie A's stronger away records. Plus, they won the reverse fixture in November 2-0 and have only lost to Napoli once in their last six head-to-heads in the league.
Probable lineups
- Napoli: Milinković-Savić, Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutiérrez, De Bruyne, Alisson, Højlund.
- Bologna: Pessina, Zortea, Lucumí, Helland, Miranda, Ferguson, Freuler, Moro, Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Napoli have won 20 of their last 28 Serie A home matches, losing just once during that span.
- Bologna have failed to score in each of their last three Serie A matches following their Europa League exit.
- None of the last 12 Serie A meetings between these sides in Naples have ended in a draw.
- Napoli have won 9 of the last 11 home league meetings with Bologna.
- Napoli have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of the last 12 home Serie A clashes against Bologna.
- Bologna have found the net in 7 of the last 9 league visits to Napoli.
- At least 3 yellow cards have been shown in 6 of the last 8 Serie A meetings between these sides in Naples.
Prediction
Napoli don't need to dazzle right now; they just need to get the job done - and these are exactly the kind of matches that suit Conte's pragmatic approach. With a favorable run-in, a win over Bologna would all but secure Champions League football and settle any lingering nerves. Bologna's discipline and resilience away from home make them tricky, but their current attacking crisis is too glaring to ignore. If Napoli don't break the deadlock early, the pressure will mount through set pieces, wing play, and McTominay's late runs, so the most logical outcome looks to be a home win for the hosts with a clean sheet.
