AC Milan vs Bologna Prediction & Betting Tips (14 September)

AC Milan return to the San Siro this Sunday with a point to prove and a squad that’s undergone a seismic transformation. After a turbulent 2024–25 campaign that saw them finish eighth and miss out on European competition, the Rossoneri have responded with a summer overhaul—only nine players remain from last season. Massimiliano Allegri, back at the helm, has wasted no time reshaping the team, bringing in high-profile names like Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, and Christopher Nkunku. Milan’s start to the season has been mixed: a shock defeat to Cremonese followed by a gritty 2–0 win over Lecce. With Rafael Leão still sidelined and Christian Pulisic returning from international duty, Allegri may lean on debutants Nkunku and Rabiot to inject fresh energy into the midfield and attack.

Bologna, meanwhile, arrive in Milan with quiet confidence and a clean bill of health. Their recent 1–0 win over Como showed defensive discipline and tactical clarity, and they’re expected to field an unchanged lineup. The subplot that adds spice to this fixture is the reunion of Rabiot and Jonathan Rowe—former Marseille teammates who clashed in a locker-room bust-up and now find themselves on opposite sides. Rowe, newly signed by Bologna, could make his debut off the bench. Injuries to Tommaso Pobega and Ibrahim Sulemana have slightly dented Bologna’s depth, but their core remains intact. With Riccardo Orsolini and Giovanni Fabbian in form, Bologna will look to exploit Milan’s still-gelling backline.

Tactically, Milan’s midfield overhaul could be the deciding factor. Allegri’s new-look engine room—featuring Modric, Loftus-Cheek, and Fofana—has the potential to dominate possession and dictate tempo. Bologna’s compact shape and counter-attacking style will test Milan’s defensive transitions, especially with Estupiñán and Pavlović still adjusting to Serie A’s pace. Expect Milan to control the early phases, but Bologna’s resilience and Rowe’s potential cameo could shift momentum late in the game. The San Siro crowd will be eager to see signs of cohesion from their revamped squad, and Allegri knows that anything less than three points will raise eyebrows.

Prediction-wise, this one leans toward a narrow Milan victory. Bologna’s defensive structure will frustrate the hosts, but Milan’s individual quality—particularly from Nkunku and Pulisic—should be enough to edge it. A 2–1 scoreline feels fitting: Milan to strike early, Bologna to respond with grit, and a late winner to seal the Rossoneri’s first home triumph of the season. It won’t be flawless, but it will be a step forward for a team still finding its rhythm amid sweeping change.