Inter Milan vs Bologna prediction: Goals at the Giuseppe Meazza

1Match Context: An Explosive Start to the Year in Milan

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza opens its doors on January 4, 2026 for a confrontation with the aroma of cheating for the leader. Inter Milan arrives at the top of the table with 36 points and an enviable offensive machine, but they host a Bologna (7th) who, despite their irregularity, are in the middle of the fight for European places. This match is crucial for the Nerazzurri to maintain the distance at the top after the end-of-year break, while the visitors are looking to strike another blow on the table after beating the likes of Napoli this season.

2Inter Milan analysis: Firepower with spot cracks

The home team is indisputably the dominant force in the championship. With 35 goals scored in 16 games, they average more than 2 goals per game. The offensive duo is lethal: Lautaro Javier continues to be the differential factor with 9 goals, well supported by a midfield where Hakan not only distributes, but has contributed the impressive figure of 6 goals. Their recent form in the league (4 consecutive wins before the defeat in the Champions League) shows that, in the domestic sphere, they are a steamroller.

However, not everything is perfect in the Milanese squad. Although Yann is a guaranteed goalkeeper (rating 704.00), the team has conceded almost one goal per game on average (0.93). In their last home games against major opponents, such as Liverpool or Milan, they ended up conceding defeats by the minimum (0-1), which suggests that when they are required defensively, they can suffer mismatches. The defense led by Alessandro and Manuel Obafemi is solid, but tends to concede opportunities when the opponent plays with quick transitions.

3Bologna analysis: Danger on the road

Bologna arrives in Milan with the label of an unpredictable team, capable of the best and the worst. Their recent balance sheet (DLDLW) is misleading if we do not look at the context: away from home they are transformed. They have managed to score in 4 of their last 5 outings, including convincing wins against Celta Vigo (1-2) and Udinese (0-3). This shows that the team is not daunted away from their stadium.

The key to its danger lies in the second line. With strikers like Santiago Thomas still looking for regularity (4 goals), the offensive weight falls on a midfield with a lot of arrival, where Riccardo stands out with 6 goals and a high participation in the game. While their defence has shown fragility (they conceded 3 against Cremonese), their ability to generate attacking football is undeniable, averaging 1.5 goals per game in their recent appearances.

4Record: Inter's 'Black Beast'

If there is one piece of information that should alert bettors, it is recent history. Bologna have won 5 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings, a surprising figure considering the difference in budget. In addition, the duels at the Meazza are usually lively: we have seen scores of 6-1, but also 2-2 draws. The historical trend suggests that Bologna knows how to hurt Inter, and rarely leaves Milan without putting up a fight.

5Tactical Keys: The Battle of Rhythm

The match will be decided in the rhythm of the game. Inter will try to monopolize the ball with Nicolò and Hakan in the engine room, looking to connect with Lautaro. The disparity in the quality of the squads is notable (Inter's average rating is three times that of Bologna), which should translate into a local territorial dominance.

However, Bologna have the perfect weapons for the counterattack. The mobility of their midfielders and the tendency of Inter's full-backs to go up a lot (leaving spaces behind Alessandro) could allow players like Riccardo to find gaps to pierce Yann's goal. The key duel will be the ability of the visiting defense to resist the initial siege; if Bologna survives the first 30 minutes, their chances of scoring increase exponentially.

6Odds Analysis: Value in Goals

The option of Both Score (Yes) at odds of 1.95 at Bet365 stands out above the rest. The bookmakers seem to underestimate Bologna's goalscoring ability away from home and slightly overestimate Inter's defence, which has conceded in recent key matches. Considering that Inter score almost by inertia at home (35 goals scored in total), the bet depends fundamentally on an away goal, a scenario that has occurred in 4 of Bologna's last 5 outings and in most of their recent H2H.

7Risk Factors

As with any sports investment, there are risks that we must consider:

• Yann's solidity: The Inter goalkeeper has days of absolute inspiration where he lowers the shutter, which could result in a 2-0 or 3-0.
• Away inefficiency: If Santiago Thomas and the Bologna forwards have a bad day in front of goal (their scoring averages are not stellar), the team could generate chances without converting them.
• Total control of Inter: If Inter decide to 'kill' the game with possession after taking the lead, it could dry up Bologna's chances.

8Forecast and Final Recommendation

Analysing all the factors, the most likely scenario is an Inter victory, but not a placid one. Bologna's need to add points to stay in Europe, added to their excellent goalscoring performance on the road recently, invites us to think that they will not leave empty-handed. Inter, on the other hand, have the most lethal attack in the championship, practically guaranteeing their presence on the scoreboard.

The odds close to par (1.95) for both teams to score offers a very interesting margin of value. We are facing a clash where the offensive power of both teams (especially the local, but with the visitor's 'spark') seems superior to the defensive guarantees shown in recent weeks. The history of direct confrontations, rich in goals and surprises, reinforces this reading.

My recommendation is to look for the goals market instead of the final result, taking advantage of the fact that Bologna tend to grow against the big teams and that Inter, although favourites, usually concede at least one clear chance per game.