Serie A line-ups: Bologna vs. Roma
Roma want to ride the wave of their derby victory with Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Artem Dovbyk, as Dan Ndoye and Thijs Dallinga start for Bologna.
It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.00 GMT.
Claudio Ranieri has revitalised the Giallorossi, but they are still five points adrift of Bologna, even having played an extra game.
Beating rivals Lazio 2-0 in the Derby della Capitale was a huge confidence booster, especially for captain Pellegrini, who opened the scoring.
He starts again with Dybala in support of Dovbyk, while only Bryan Cristante is still on the treatment table.
Alexis Saelemaekers and Angelino continue to power down the Roma flanks, with Mats Hummels in defence.
Bologna had been on fine form in Serie A with 10 points from four rounds, including victory over Fiorentina and a 2-2 draw away to Juventus.
However, Tommaso Pobega saw red in their shock 3-2 home defeat to Hellas Verona on December 30 and last week’s game with Inter was rescheduled due to the Supercoppa Italiana.
That means this is their first game of 2025 with Pobega suspended, Michel Aebischer, Oussama El Azzouzi and Nicolò Cambiaghi long-term absentees.
Dan Ndoye and Riccardo Orsolini have shaken off knocks, while Benjamin Dominguez starts after his two goals against Verona.
Bologna vs. Roma line-ups
Bologna: Skorupski; Holm, Beukema, Lucumì, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler; Ndoye, Odgaard, Dominguez; Dallinga
Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, N’Dicka; Saelemaekers, Paredes, Koné, Angelino; Dybala, Pellegrini; Dovbyk
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Serie A Liveblog including Venezia-Inter, Bologna-Roma, Napoli-Verona