Liam Duckstein
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Bologna host Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A on Saturday 17 October 2026, and ahead of kickoff this page sets out the predicted lineups for both sides based on how each has lined up in its most recent matches. Both camps arrive looking fairly settled on paper: Bologna and Inter Milan have each had ten of their projected starting eleven appear in their last match, a signal worth weighing before the official team news lands. The sections below walk through the expected XI for each side, who is missing, and exactly how these projections were built.
Predicted Bologna Line-up
Bologna’s projection is built around a 3-4-2-1, the shape preferred by head coach Raffaele Palladino, and it is a settled side on current evidence – ten of the projected XI started their last match. Torbjørn Heggem stands out at the back, having started both of the matches used for this projection, while further up the pitch Nikola Moro is the outlier in midfield, included here despite not starting either of the recent games this projection draws on. It’s worth stressing that this Bologna read is based on only two recent lineups, so it should be treated as tentative rather than settled fact.
Bologna predicted XI: Massimo Pessina; Torbjørn Heggem, Nicolo Casale, Matteo Darmian; Tommaso Pobega, Lewis Ferguson, Nadir Zortea, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Juan Miranda, Nikola Moro; Roberto Piccoli
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 25 | Massimo Pessina | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 14 | Torbjørn Heggem | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 16 | Nicolo Casale | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 36 | Matteo Darmian | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 4 | Tommaso Pobega | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 19 | Lewis Ferguson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 20 | Nadir Zortea | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 28 | Nicolo Cambiaghi | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 33 | Juan Miranda | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 6 | Nikola Moro | 0/2 | 0/2 |
| F | 91 | Roberto Piccoli | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Inter Milan Predicted XI
Inter Milan’s expected XI is shaped by Cristian Chivu’s preferred 3-5-2, and the side also reads as settled – ten of the projected starters featured in their last outing. Yann Bisseck has been the more consistent fixture across the four matches used here, starting every one of them, and Federico Dimarco matches that record from midfield, giving the shape a reliable spine on both flanks. With four recent matches feeding the projection, this Inter Milan read carries a touch more weight than Bologna’s, though it remains a forecast rather than a confirmed team sheet.
Inter Milan predicted XI: Josep Martinez; Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, Alessandro Bastoni; Federico Dimarco, Andy Diouf, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Piotr Zieliński, Nicolò Barella; Marcus Thuram, Pio Esposito
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 4 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Josep Martinez | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| D | 31 | Yann Bisseck | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| D | 25 | Manuel Akanji | 2/4 | 1/3 |
| D | 95 | Alessandro Bastoni | 2/4 | 1/3 |
| M | 32 | Federico Dimarco | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| M | 17 | Andy Diouf | 3/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 20 | Hakan Çalhanoğlu | 2/4 | 2/3 |
| M | 7 | Piotr Zieliński | 2/4 | 1/3 |
| M | 23 | Nicolò Barella | 2/4 | 1/3 |
| F | 9 | Marcus Thuram | 4/4 | 3/3 |
| F | 94 | Pio Esposito | 1/4 | 1/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Emil Holm and Riccardo Orsolini are out injured for Bologna, which thins the options at the back and in the forward line respectively. Among the substitutes, Arthur Theate, who started once across the matches used in this projection, looks the readiest option to step into the side if changes are needed defensively.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emil Holm | D | injured | Thigh problems |
| Riccardo Orsolini | F | injured | Thigh problems |
John Stones, Curtis Jones and Lautaro Martínez are out injured for Inter Milan, a run of absences that touches defence, midfield and attack all at once. Of the players in reserve, Benjamin Pavard and Carlos Augusto, each with two starts across the matches used here, are the most experienced names waiting for a recall.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Stones | D | injured | Muscle bruise |
| Curtis Jones | M | injured | Thigh problems |
| Lautaro Martínez | F | injured | Thigh problems |
Where These Predictions Come From
These lineups are a projection, not an announced team sheet. Bologna’s expected XI is built from its last two matches and Inter Milan’s from its last four, with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones, and any player confirmed injured or suspended removed from contention entirely. Expect this picture to firm up, and possibly shift, once the official team news is confirmed closer to kickoff.
Read also: Bologna vs Inter Milan Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 16 Oct 2026
Read also: Bologna vs Inter Prediction: 17.10.2026 Serie A
FAQ
What formation are Bologna and Inter Milan expected to use?
Bologna’s predicted lineup is built around a 3-4-2-1, reflecting Raffaele Palladino’s preferred shape, while Inter Milan’s expected XI follows Cristian Chivu’s usual 3-5-2.
Who is predicted to start in goal?
Massimo Pessina is projected to start in goal for Bologna, with Josep Martinez expected between the posts for Inter Milan.
Who is unavailable for Bologna vs Inter Milan?
Bologna are without Emil Holm and Riccardo Orsolini through injury, while Inter Milan are missing John Stones, Curtis Jones and Lautaro Martínez, all out injured.
When do Bologna play Inter Milan and where can I see the predicted lineups and team news?
Bologna host Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A on Saturday 17 October 2026, with the predicted lineups and team news for the match set out above.