Inter Milan play host to Bologna on Sunday night, looking for the win that would ensure that they end the week in first place in the Serie A table.
A four-game winning streak has given Cristian Chivu's side a one-point lead heading into the latest batch of fixtures, yet just four points separate the top five.
Meanwhile, a four-match winless run has left Bologna down in seventh position in the standings, six points adrift of a top-five spot which may prove enough for Champions League qualification come the end of the season.
How the bookies see it: Inter to continue winning run
Inter Milan are priced as low as 21/50 by bookmakers Bet365, helped by prevailing in six of their eight league fixtures at San Siro this season.
However, there is considerable value in the draw at 15/4 and a Bologna victory at 13/2. The visitors head into this contest having avoided defeat in each of their last six away top-flight encounters.
Head to head: Hope for Bologna despite Inter historical advantage
Inter Milan head into this contest having prevailed from 20 of their last 36 encounters with Bologna, who have won eight times.
Nevertheless, since the beginning of 2023, Inter have won just once in seven fixtures, a 1-0 triumph on away territory in March 2024.
Bologna are also unbeaten in the last three, most recently earning a 1-1 draw with Inter in the Super Cup staged in Saudi Arabia in December before winning a penalty shootout.
Player to watch: Martinez the clear standout star
Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez has reached this stage of the season with 13 goals and three assists from his 22 appearances in all competitions.
Furthermore, he has four strikes and one assist from his most recent five starts, only failing to score against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Riccardo Orsolini is Bologna's leading marksman in Serie A with six goals. The playmaker also netted against Inter in the Super Cup, but he has scored just three times from 16 outings in all competitions since October 23.
Probable lineups:
With a week since their last fixture, Inter boss Chivu may keep changes to a minimum for this contest.
Francesco Pio Esposito is at the top of the list to come back into the team after providing an assist within a minute of his introduction in the 1-0 win at Atalanta BC. If he returns, Marcus Thuram will drop to the substitutes' bench.
While Francesco Acerbi is pushing for a return, Matteo Darmian and Ange-Yoan Bonny will not be risked for this game.
Barring any fitness issues, Vincenzo Italiano may select the same Bologna XI from the 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.
However, if one alteration is made, either Santiago Castro or Ciro Immobile could replace Thijs Dallinga down the middle of the attack.
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Esposito, Martinez
Bologna: Ravaglia; Zortea, Vitik, Lucumi, Miranda; Moro, Pobega; Orsolini, Fabbian, Rowe; Castro
Anything else catch the eye?
Inter and Bologna have each conceded just 14 goals from their 16 Serie A fixtures during 2025-26.
Despite Bologna possessing the joint-third best attack in the division with 24 goals, Inter have found the net 11 more times.
Although Bologna are unbeaten (W3 D3) in six away league fixtures, they have played no team higher than eighth-placed Lazio during that period.
Inter have only conceded once in their last four San Siro fixtures in Serie A. That goal came in a 1-0 defeat to neighbours AC Milan.
Think you have found odds that look too good to be true? Explore our Value Betting guide and learn when a price is genuinely favourable.
GambleAware