bet365
BetMGM
William Hill
Betfred
BetUK
LiveScoreBet
10Bet
Virgin Bet
Can Pisa drag Bologna into the trenches — or will Italiano’s revival roll on in Tuscany? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Bologna arrive with four straight wins and a dominant statistical profile. Pisa have managed just one win in 26 Serie A matches and are missing key defensive experience with Albiol suspended. The visitors’ control of possession and higher shot volume should prove decisive against the 19th-placed hosts.
Read Rationale ▾
Bologna have secured consecutive 1-0 victories recently and show great control at the back. Pisa score few goals but are physically strong in the air, which may keep this contest tight. A narrow, professional victory for the in-form visitors fits their current pattern of play and defensive stability.
Readers’ Tip
Vote your pick — quick & anonymous
Terms & Conditions (tap to view)
Pisa host in-form Bologna at the Arena Garibaldi. Every fixture now feels like a countdown for the hosts, who sit 19th with just 15 points.
Pisa vs Bologna — BetMGM Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with sample BetMGM odds based on match analysis.
Bologna’s superior league position and four-match winning streak make them heavy favourites against 19th-placed Pisa.
Bologna’s trend of back-to-back 1-0 wins and Pisa’s low goal output suggests a tighter scoring affair in Tuscany.
Pisa’s home struggle against an eighth-placed Bologna side making a European push points toward narrow away wins.
Bologna have kept 11 clean sheets this season, and Pisa’s scoring struggles enhance the chance of a shutout.
Key Match Stats
- Bologna’s away punch is relentless: Bologna are unbeaten in 9 of their last 11 away Serie A matches, and they’ve scored at least once in all 11 of those away league games.
- Pisa’s survival fight is getting louder: Pisa have managed just 1 win in 26 Serie A matches, and they’ve lost 4 of their last 6, sitting 19th with 15 points.
- Ball and territory point one way: Bologna average 55% possession, 83% pass accuracy and 15 shots per game, while Pisa sit at 41%, 77% and 9.7 shots — a control-vs-resist pattern.
Offensive Volume: Average Shots per Match
A comparison of attacking intent and frequency of efforts on goal throughout the league campaign.
Pisa’s lower shot volume reflects their difficulty in sustaining pressure on opposition goals.
Italiano’s side maintain a consistent offensive output, frequently testing opposing goalkeepers.
Territorial Control: Average Possession
Visualising the tactical split between dominance of the ball and a more reactive approach.
Pisa tend to operate with less of the ball, focusing on defensive structure and long passes.
Bologna prefer to dictate the tempo and circulate possession to find openings in wide areas.
Match Preview
Arena Garibaldi is ready for a tense one. Pisa are 19th, stuck on 15 points, and every fixture now feels like a countdown — especially after taking just two draws and four defeats from their last six. They’re not short of effort, but the margins keep punishing them.
Bologna arrive with a very different energy. They’ve pieced together a revival with four straight wins in all competitions, including back-to-back 1-0 victories over SK Brann to reach the Europa League last 16, and league wins over Torino and Udinese to climb back to eighth. Vincenzo Italiano’s side look sharper, calmer, and far more comfortable dictating the tempo.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Injuries and Suspensions
Pisa: Daniel Denoon (ankle problems), Raúl Albiol (suspended), Simone Scuffet (muscular problems, out until 12/03/2026)
Bologna: no absences listed
Probable Pisa XI
Semper; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Toure, Loyola, Aebischer, Marin, Iling-Junior; Moreo, Stojilkovic
Probable Bologna XI
Skorupski; De Silvestri, Lucumi, Casale, Mario; Ferguson, Freuler, Sohm; Orsolini, Castro, Cambiaghi
Lineup Analysis
Pisa losing Albiol removes experience at the back, and with Scuffet sidelined, there’s less cover behind Semper. That matters because Pisa already concede heavily, and Bologna bring shot volume and runners from multiple lines.
For Bologna, the structure looks stable: Orsolini, Castro and Cambiaghi give them movement across the front, while Ferguson and Freuler can keep the ball ticking and squeeze Pisa back.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Pisa | Bologna |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 19th | 8th |
| Points | 15 | 36 |
| Games played (Serie A) | 26 | 26 |
| Goals scored (Serie A) | 20 | 35 |
| Goals conceded (league table) | 43 | 32 |
| Shots per game (Serie A) | 10.2 | 13.3 |
| Possession (Serie A) | 40.1% | 54.7% |
| Pass accuracy (Serie A) | 76.6% | 82.4% |
| Clean sheets (all matches) | 6 | 11 |
| Fouls (avg per game) | 13.54 | 14.24 |
Tactical Analysis
Bologna’s Plan: Width, Control, and Constant Entries
Italiano’s Bologna mix possession with direct moments. They play with width, cross often, and still have the tools to hurt teams from range — one of their strengths is creating chances for long shots, and they’re strong attacking set pieces too.
The key is how Bologna pin Pisa in. Bologna average 55% possession and 15 shots per game across all competitions listed, plus they rack up 101.79 total attacks per match and 48.68 dangerous attacks. That’s sustained pressure, not a quick burst. If Pisa drop into a low block, Bologna can circulate until the wide angles open and then hit the box with numbers.
Watch the combination of Riccardo Orsolini and Santiago Castro. Both have 7 league goals, and Castro adds 2 assists and a steady shot output (1.7 shots per game). If Pisa’s back three get dragged towards the wings, the central lanes open for late arrivals and cutbacks.
But Bologna aren’t bulletproof. They’re weak in aerial duels and very weak defending against quality players — and Pisa’s one genuine standout strength is aerial duels (very strong). If Pisa can force Bologna into defending crosses and set pieces under pressure, that’s the pathway to discomfort.
Pisa’s Plan: Long, Wide, and Aggressive
Pisa’s style is blunt by necessity: long passes, frequent crosses, attacks down the right, and lots of shots when they can get them off. They don’t keep the ball well, and they’re vulnerable in several key areas — counter-attacks, set pieces, long shots, and defending quality in wide areas.
That means Hiljemark’s side need to be clever about when they press and when they sit. Pisa’s average first goal time is 59′, while Bologna’s is 45′ — if Pisa start slowly and spend the first half hour clearing danger, the match can drift away from them.
In attack, Pisa need Stefano Moreo to carry the threat. He’s their top league scorer with 5, and if service comes early, he can turn scraps into chances. Idrissa Touré also matters: he wins 5.1 aerial duels per game and brings bite, but he’s also got a red card this season — Pisa can’t afford reckless moments in dangerous areas.
Key Zones and Scenarios
- Set pieces and aerial battles: Pisa are very strong in the air, while Bologna are weak in aerial duels. Corners and free-kicks could be Pisa’s best route to a momentum swing.
- Wide defending under stress: Pisa struggle against wing attacks and crosses, and Bologna live for width with Orsolini and Cambiaghi stretching the pitch.
- Transition discipline: Pisa are weak defending counter-attacks, and Bologna have form for control plus direct breaks. One turnover can become a big chance fast.
- Early pressure vs late hope: Bologna tend to strike earlier (45′ average first goal time) while Pisa’s first goals arrive later (59′). Pisa need to stay in touch long enough for belief to grow.
What Could Go Wrong?
For Pisa, it’s the familiar danger: concede first, then chase with a team that’s already weak at protecting the lead and defending counters. For Bologna, it’s getting drawn into a duel-heavy match where second balls and set pieces rule — exactly the sort of messy rhythm that can blunt their control and put their aerial weakness under the spotlight.
Match Result (1X2)
This market allows you to back the final outcome: a home win, a draw, or an away win. It is the most direct way to back a team’s current form and superiority over 90 minutes.
Pros: High liquidity and clear outcomes. Cons: A late equaliser can spoil a dominant performance.
Correct Score
Backing the exact final scoreline. This is a high-volatility market that requires a precise reading of both teams’ defensive and offensive capabilities.
Pros: Higher odds and rewards. Cons: Low probability; a single goal in the final minute changes everything.
Tactical Rationale: Bologna’s Dominance 🎯
Bologna enter this fixture as clear favourites based on a stark contrast in season-long performance. Sitting 19th with only 15 points, Pisa have managed a single victory in 26 league matches. Their recent form is equally concerning, suffering four defeats in their last six outings. Bologna, meanwhile, have found their stride under Vincenzo Italiano, securing four consecutive wins across all competitions, including professional European victories. The visitors average significantly more shots per game (13.3) and maintain 54.7% possession, suggesting they will dictate the pace at the Arena Garibaldi.
Tactical Indicators: Why Bologna Win
- Form Disparity: Bologna are on a 4-match winning streak; Pisa have 1 win in 26.
- Shot Volume: Bologna average 15 shots per game vs Pisa’s 9.7.
- Defensive Gaps: Pisa are missing veteran Albiol and first-choice keeper Scuffet.
Risk Factor: Pisa are physically strong in the air, winning 5.1 aerial duels per game via Touré, which could disrupt Bologna’s rhythm on set pieces.
Scoreline Rationale: The Narrow Margin ⚔️
While Bologna are expected to control the game, their recent results suggest a preference for controlled, narrow victories. They arrive off the back of consecutive 1-0 wins in European competition, showing a level of defensive discipline that limits opposition chances. Pisa’s attacking output is limited, averaging fewer than one goal per game in Serie A. However, Hiljemark’s side are very strong in aerial duels, a noted weakness for Bologna. This physical advantage for the hosts may allow them to stay competitive and limit the scoreline, even if they struggle to find the net themselves against a defence that has kept 11 clean sheets.
BOLOGNA SHOTS/G
PISA GOALS/G
Risk Factor: Bologna create many chances from range; a long-distance strike could open the game up and lead to a higher scoreline.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Pisa are very strong in the air, with Touré winning 5.1 duels per match.
Bologna are statistically weak in aerial duels and defending set pieces.
Match Day Q&A 📊
⊕ What is a Match Result bet?
A Match Result bet, also known as 1X2, is a wager on the final outcome of the game. You choose between a Home Win (1), a Draw (X), or an Away Win (2) based on the score at the end of regular time.
⊕ Why is Bologna favoured to win this match?
Bologna are favoured because they sit 8th in the table and are on a four-match winning streak. They face a Pisa side that has won only once in 26 league games and sits in the relegation zone.
⊕ How does the Correct Score market work?
The Correct Score market requires you to predict the exact final score of the match. For example, if you bet on 1-0, the match must finish exactly with that score for the bet to be successful.
⊕ Who are the key players for Bologna?
Riccardo Orsolini and Santiago Castro are vital, both having scored 7 league goals this season. Castro also provides assists and consistent shot volume.
⊕ What are Pisa’s main tactical strengths?
Pisa’s primary strength is their aerial dominance. They win a high number of headers and can be dangerous from crosses and set pieces.
⊕ How many clean sheets has Bologna kept?
Bologna have kept 11 clean sheets in 38 total matches listed. This defensive stability is a key reason for their recent climb up the table.
⊕ What is the significance of Pisa’s missing players?
The absence of veteran defender Raúl Albiol and first-choice goalkeeper Simone Scuffet leaves Pisa vulnerable at the back against a high-volume attacking side like Bologna.
⊕ Does home advantage play a role for Pisa?
Pisa are dangerous at the Arena Garibaldi through their aggressive, long-ball style. However, their record of only 15 points suggests home advantage has not overcome their technical struggles.
18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs apply
Last Odds Update: Mar 01, 10:45 GMT | Editorial Policy
Set a budget, use limits, and stop when it’s not fun.
