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AC Milan vs Bologna Predicted Lineups: Serie A Team News

AC Milan welcome Bologna to Milan in Serie A Regular Season – 9 with both sides arriving from very different positions in the table. Milan sit 4th with 18 points from 8 matches, unbeaten so far with 5 wins and 3 draws and a goal difference of +9 (16 scored, 7 conceded). Bologna, by contrast, are 13th on 8 points, having won just 2 of their 8 league games and carrying a negative goal difference of -2 (8 scored, 10 conceded).

The hosts have been strong at home, winning all 3 league fixtures at San Siro with 8 goals scored and only 2 conceded, and their league form string of WWDWD underlines their consistency. Bologna’s form is more erratic, with a sequence of WLWDL and particularly fragile home results, although they have picked up both of their wins away. With that backdrop, this clash is important for Milan to consolidate a Champions League-qualifying position, while Bologna need points to avoid being dragged towards the bottom.

Head-to-head data in recent seasons leans towards Milan, who have taken several league wins against Bologna, although the visitors did claim a notable Coppa Italia final victory in 2024. With the home side favoured by most models and bookmakers, the focus turns to the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices, especially given a significant injury list for Milan and some key absences for Bologna.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Milan come into this game in strong overall form, with no league defeats and a solid defensive record of just 7 goals conceded in 8 matches. However, the squad situation is complicated by a heavy injury list. Several important players are ruled out, and one key midfielder is listed as questionable. That will force some adjustments in the expected lineup, particularly in midfield and in wide areas.

For this match, S. Chukwueze, M. Gabbia, M. Gila, D. Moreira, A. Rabiot and A. Saelemaekers are all unavailable, while R. Loftus-Cheek is questionable. That removes Milan’s top scorer and top assister in Serie A so far (Rabiot) and another high-impact attacking contributor (Diego Moreira) from the equation. Even so, Milan’s recent record suggests they will still set up with an attacking-minded shape, using their strong late-goal profile (a high share of goals between minutes 61–75) to press Bologna back and control territory.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: K. De Winter, P. Estupiñán, S. Pavlović, F. Tomori
MF: L. Modrić, Y. Musah, A. Jashari, C. Pulišić, O. Hutchinson
FW: Gonçalo Ramos

With several midfielders and wide players out, Milan’s predicted lineup today leans heavily on experience and physicality at the back, plus creativity from veterans and dynamic younger players further forward. In defence, S. Pavlović is a key figure: he appears in both the top yellow cards and top red cards lists, underlining his aggressive, front-foot style. Alongside F. Tomori and K. De Winter, Milan can maintain a high line and engage Bologna’s forwards early, supported by P. Estupiñán’s energy on the flank.

In midfield, the absence of A. Rabiot and Diego Moreira removes 7 league goals and 4 assists between them, so the creative burden shifts to L. Modrić and C. Pulišić. Modrić should dictate tempo and progression from deeper zones, while Pulišić and O. Hutchinson are expected to carry the ball between the lines and attack the half-spaces. Y. Musah and A. Jashari add legs and pressing intensity, crucial against a Bologna side that can break quickly. Up front, Gonçalo Ramos profiles as the focal point for crosses and cut-backs, with the wide and central midfielders tasked to provide service and late box entries rather than relying on a second striker.

Bologna Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Bologna arrive in Milan with a mixed start to the Serie A season: 2 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats from 8 games. They have actually been more productive away from home, winning 2 of their 4 away fixtures and conceding only 3 times on the road. However, their overall form line of WLWDL and a goals record of 8 for and 10 against highlight inconsistency, especially in defensive phases late in games.

In terms of team news, Bologna also have notable absences. E. Holm, R. Orsolini and R. Piccoli are all ruled out, which removes depth and some attacking quality from the right side and from the forward rotation. That will influence how the coaching staff construct their lineups today, likely pushing more responsibility onto creative full-backs and attacking midfielders. Even so, Bologna’s top-assist providers Juan Miranda and N. Cambiaghi, plus attacking threat F. Bernardeschi, are all available and should feature prominently in the expected starting lineup.

Bologna Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: Ł. Skorupski
DF: N. Casale, M. Darmian, T. Heggem, A. Theate
MF: Juan Miranda, L. Ferguson, N. Moro, N. Zortea, N. Cambiaghi
FW: F. Bernardeschi

Bologna’s predicted lineup balances experience and work rate. Ł. Skorupski should start in goal, protected by a back line built around A. Theate and N. Casale, with M. Darmian’s versatility and T. Heggem’s physical presence offering stability against Milan’s central and wide threats. Juan Miranda, although listed as a midfielder, has been a key creative outlet from wide areas and leads the team with 3 assists, making him crucial both in build-up and on overlaps.

In midfield, L. Ferguson and N. Moro provide ball-winning and distribution, while N. Zortea and N. Cambiaghi offer width and dribbling. Cambiaghi has 2 assists and draws a high number of fouls, suggesting he will be used to carry the ball upfield and relieve pressure. Up front, F. Bernardeschi is the main attacking reference: he appears in both top yellow and top red card lists for Bologna but also has 2 goals, 8 key passes and 16 shots, 9 on target. His ability to shoot from range and attack the channels will be central to Bologna’s counter-attacking plan against Milan’s compact defensive block.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Both teams are missing important pieces, and those absences will strongly shape the match dynamic. Milan’s injury list is longer and hits them hardest in midfield and wide attacking roles, while Bologna are thinner in right-sided and centre-forward depth.

AC Milan Absences:

  • S. Chukwueze — Hip Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • M. Gabbia — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • M. Gila — Ankle Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • D. Moreira — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • A. Rabiot — Calf Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • A. Saelemaekers — Ankle Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • R. Loftus-Cheek — Injury (Questionable)

Bologna Absences:

  • E. Holm — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • R. Orsolini — Thigh Injury (Missing Fixture)
  • R. Piccoli — Hamstring Injury (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The tactical battle is likely to revolve around Milan’s ability to sustain pressure and create chances without their most productive midfield scorer and assister, and Bologna’s capacity to transition quickly through their wide players. Milan’s league profile shows a strong attacking index, with 16 goals in 8 games and a high concentration of goals in the 61–75 minute window. Even with Rabiot and Diego Moreira unavailable, the predicted XI still features high-level technicians in Modrić and Pulišić, plus an aggressive back line led by Pavlović and Tomori that allows the team to compress the pitch.

Bologna, meanwhile, will look to exploit any space left behind Milan’s advanced wing-backs or full-backs. Juan Miranda and N. Cambiaghi, both among the top assist providers in Serie A this season, will be key in launching counters and delivering early balls into Bernardeschi. Bologna’s overall comparison indices trail Milan in attack and form, but their defensive index is relatively competitive, suggesting they can frustrate Milan for long spells if they maintain compact lines and manage Bernardeschi’s discipline. The duel between Pavlović and Bernardeschi, in particular, could be decisive, pitting an aggressive centre-back with a high card count against Bologna’s most dangerous forward.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a tight contest in terms of match outcome probabilities: the prediction model gives AC Milan a 45% chance to win, the draw also at 45%, and Bologna at 10%. Comparison indices lean towards Milan as well, with an overall comparison index of 63.5 vs 36.5 in favour of the hosts, and a Poisson index of 73 vs 27. Milan’s unbeaten start, perfect home record and stronger recent form make them deserved favourites, even with a long injury list.

Pre-match odds from major bookmakers price Milan between 1.57 and 1.65 to win, implying roughly a 60–64% chance of a home victory, with the draw around 23–26% and an away win about 17–20%. Combining those market signals with the prediction model and current squad situations points towards Milan being more likely to take at least a point, in line with the “win or draw” advice. Given the conservative goal projections (goals fields pointing under typical goal lines) and both teams’ recent under-2.5 trends, a low-scoring Milan edge or a draw looks the most plausible scenario.


Predicted Outcome: AC Milan 1–1 Bologna

How to Watch AC Milan vs Bologna Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

  • Spain: Local pay-TV sports channel / streaming platform
  • UK: Major sports broadcaster or official league partner
  • USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer streaming service
  • South America: Regional sports network or OTT football platform
  • MENA: Regional satellite sports network or official digital partner

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