Napoli vs Bologna Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Napoli welcome Bologna to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 13 September 2026 in Serie A Regular Season - 4, with both sides looking to kick-start their campaigns after slow openings. The hosts sit mid-table and are under pressure to turn underlying attacking promise into points, while Bologna arrive in Naples still searching for their first league win of the season.

With Napoli on 3 points from their first three matches and Bologna on just 1, this early-season clash already carries weight in the battle for European places and mid-table stability. Recent head-to-head meetings have been tight and often high-scoring, making this an intriguing fixture for prediction-focused fans and bettors alike.

Napoli vs Bologna Key Stats

• Napoli are 12th in Serie A with 3 points from 3 matches, scoring and conceding 5 goals (goal difference 0).
• The most recent meeting at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on 11 May 2026 ended Napoli 2-3 Bologna in Serie A.
• Across their 3 Serie A 2026 matches, Napoli average 1.7 goals scored and 1.7 conceded per game, while Bologna average 0.7 scored and 1.3 conceded.

Napoli vs Bologna — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 12 vs 15
• Points: 3 vs 1
• Goals For: 5 vs 2
• Goals Against: 5 vs 4
• Clean Sheets: Napoli 1 (tournament statistics) vs Bologna 0 (tournament statistics)

After three rounds, Napoli sit 12th with a 1-0-2 record. They have been involved in balanced games, scoring 5 and conceding 5 across 3 fixtures, including a home defeat (1-2) and a solid away win (0-2). The numbers point to a side that creates and concedes in roughly equal measure, with only one clean sheet so far.

Bologna, 15th on 1 point, have struggled more in the final third. They have yet to win (0-1-2), with just 2 goals scored and 4 conceded. Their away record shows one defeat (0-1) and no goals scored on the road. Defensively they are not collapsing, but the lack of attacking output compared to Napoli’s 1.7 goals per game is a clear concern ahead of a difficult trip to Naples.

Napoli vs Bologna Key Matchups

R. Højlund vs A. Dovbyk

R. Højlund has quickly become Napoli’s primary goal threat in this Serie A campaign. In 3 appearances (all starts) and 230 minutes, he has scored 2 goals from 4 shots, 3 of them on target. His involvement in duels (24 total, 7 won) underlines his physical presence up front, while he has also drawn 2 fouls, showing how difficult he is to handle for defenders.

For Bologna, A. Dovbyk is both a key attacking outlet and a disciplinary focal point. He has 1 goal in 3 appearances (84 minutes) with 3 shots and 1 on target, plus 1 yellow card and 2 fouls committed. His accuracy on the ball has been excellent so far (11 passes at 100% accuracy), but he has won only 1 of 7 duels, suggesting he may struggle physically against Napoli’s centre-backs. The duel between Højlund’s all-round centre-forward play and Dovbyk’s need to be more efficient and disciplined could be decisive.

K. De Bruyne vs Bologna’s back line

Even as a substitute, K. De Bruyne has been hugely influential for Napoli. In just 85 minutes across 3 appearances, he has produced 1 goal and 1 assist, with 2 shots (1 on target) and 7 key passes from 59 total passes at 76% accuracy. His ability to unlock defences with precise passing and late runs from midfield adds a creative layer Napoli have lacked in some phases.

Bologna’s defence has conceded 4 goals in 3 matches, with an average of 1.3 per game, and no clean sheets. Their goals against distribution shows vulnerability particularly between 46–60 minutes (half of their goals conceded in that window), exactly the period when De Bruyne often exerts most influence off the bench. Containing his passing lanes and late arrivals will be crucial if Bologna are to keep this tight.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

This fixture has produced drama and goals in recent seasons, with both sides enjoying notable wins and several draws. Matches in Naples, in particular, have tended to be open and high-scoring.

• 11 May 2026: Napoli 2-3 Bologna (Serie A)
• 22 December 2025: Napoli 2-0 Bologna (Super Cup)
• 9 November 2025: Bologna 2-0 Napoli (Serie A)
• 7 April 2025: Bologna 1-1 Napoli (Serie A)
• 25 August 2024: Napoli 3-0 Bologna (Serie A)

Napoli vs Bologna Prediction

Stats suggest a match where Napoli’s superior attacking output and home advantage should tell, but recent head-to-heads warn against complacency. Napoli average 1.7 goals per game this season and have not failed to score yet, while Bologna have failed to score in 2 of their 3 matches and average just 0.7 goals. The comparison indices heavily favour Napoli in attack (71 vs 29) and overall (total index 59.4 vs 40.6), even though Bologna’s defensive index is marginally better.

The prediction model gives Napoli a 45% chance of winning, with a 45% chance of a draw and only 10% for a Bologna victory. With Bologna’s away record weak and Napoli possessing match-winners like Højlund and De Bruyne, the most likely scenario is a controlled home performance where Napoli create the better chances. Bologna can be competitive, particularly if they stay compact, but their lack of goals makes an upset less probable.

Predicted Score: Napoli 2-1 Bologna

Napoli Recent Form

Napoli’s recent form in Serie A reads WLL, reflecting an inconsistent but competitive start. Across 3 matches they have 1 win and 2 defeats, with 5 goals scored and 5 conceded. Their only clean sheet came away from home, while at the Maradona they have already suffered a 1-2 loss. Still, they have scored in every game and have not failed to find the net, underlining a generally functioning attack.

Bologna Recent Form

Bologna’s recent form is LLD, underlining their early struggles. In 3 league matches they have yet to win, drawing once at home and losing twice (one home, one away). They have scored just 2 goals while conceding 4, and have failed to score in 2 of those 3 fixtures. The lack of cutting edge in attack is the main concern heading into a difficult away trip.

Napoli Possible Starting Lineup

GK: A. Meret or N. Contini; Defenders: G. Di Lorenzo, B. Badiashile, A. Buongiorno or Amir Rrahmani, M. Olivera or L. Spinazzola; Midfielders: S. Lobotka, A. Zambo Anguissa, K. De Bruyne or B. Gilmour, A. Vergara; Forwards: R. Højlund, David Neres, M. Politano or N. Lang.

Napoli have the squad depth to maintain a 4-3-3, as reflected in their tournament statistics where that formation has been used in all three matches. Højlund should lead the line given his 2 goals, with creative support from De Bruyne and versatile wide forwards like David Neres or Politano. In midfield, Lobotka and Zambo Anguissa offer control and ball-winning, while at the back Di Lorenzo and Olivera/Spinazzola provide width. The presence of multiple centre-backs such as Badiashile, Buongiorno and Rrahmani gives flexibility to adjust against Bologna’s forwards.

Bologna Possible Starting Lineup

GK: Ł. Skorupski; Defenders: L. De Silvestri, T. Heggem, A. Theate or M. Vitík, Juan Miranda; Midfielders: O. El Azzouzi, N. Moro, L. Ferguson, T. Pobega, F. Bernardeschi or N. Cambiaghi; Forward: A. Dovbyk.

Bologna’s statistics show a preference for a 4-2-3-1 across their three matches, which is likely to continue. Skorupski brings experience in goal, while a back four built around Theate or Vitík will need to be compact to contain Højlund. In midfield, players like El Azzouzi, Moro and Ferguson provide energy and box-to-box qualities, with Bernardeschi and Cambiaghi potential creative outlets behind Dovbyk. The key tactical question is whether Bologna can get enough support to Dovbyk, who has only 1 goal so far and limited duel success.

Napoli Team News

No significant absences reported.

Bologna Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Napoli:

• None reported.

Bologna:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Napoli vs Bologna

Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

• Result Tip: Back Napoli to win. The prediction model gives Napoli a 45% win chance and Bologna only 10%, with Napoli stronger in attack and playing at home. Market odds for a home win range from 1.67 to 1.79, implying an approximate probability between 55.9% and 59.9%, making Napoli clear favourites.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Napoli’s matches average 3.4 total goals (5 scored, 5 conceded in 3 games), and Bologna’s average 2.0. Recent head-to-heads in Naples have produced scorelines like 3-0, 3-2 and 2-3. While specific over/under odds are not listed here, this profile supports a goals-based angle above the very low lines.
• Value Tip: Napoli to win and both teams to score (if available with your bookmaker). Napoli have scored in all three league games and kept just one clean sheet, while Bologna have the individual quality of A. Dovbyk, who has 1 goal from limited minutes. With match-winners like R. Højlund and K. De Bruyne for Napoli and a Bologna side capable of nicking a goal, this combined market often offers a higher price than the straight home win. Use the home win odds band of 1.67–1.79 and away goal potential to gauge value.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.