Bologna open Serie A as modest home favourites against a Lazio side beaten in the Coppa Italia by a Serie B club.
Bologna are favourites for the Serie A opener against Lazio at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, kicking off at 16:30 UTC (18:30 CEST) on Monday, August 24, 2026. Bovada prices the home side at +130 in American odds — the profit on a $100 stake, or 2.30 in decimal — with the draw at +210 (3.10) and Lazio at +245 (3.45). Pinnacle has the same three-way at +137, +212 and +250.
Key Facts:
• Bovada three-way at 13:31 UTC on August 24, 2026: Bologna +130 (2.30), draw +210 (3.10), Lazio +245 (3.45)
• Removing Pinnacle’s 2.8% margin leaves 41.0% Bologna, 31.2% draw, 27.8% Lazio
• Lazio lost 0-2 at home to Serie B Mantova in the Coppa Italia on August 16, 2026 — S.S. Lazio
• Referee Fabio Maresca (Napoli section); Lazio’s record in his 26 previous matches is “12 vittorie, 4 pareggi e 10 sconfitte” — S.S. Lazio
• Pinnacle’s main goals total sits at 2.25, with over 2.5 at +131 and under 2.5 at -147
Where the Serie A opening-night odds sit
The gap is real but narrow: a 41.0% fair price on a home side is closer to a coin-flip than Lazio’s last scoreline suggests. Pinnacle’s draw-no-bet market, which refunds a stake if the sides finish level, has Bologna at -160, or roughly 61.5%.
The totals market is more informative. Pinnacle’s central line is 2.25 goals rather than the standard 2.5, and Bovada charges -150 on under 2.5 — a market pricing a cautious opener, not a shootout.
Why Lazio arrive under scrutiny
Gennaro Gattuso — not Maurizio Sarri, whom one Italian outlet listed in error this week — took charge over the summer and lost his first competitive match 0-2 at the Stadio Olimpico to a Serie B side, three months after Lazio lost a Coppa Italia final 0-2 at the same ground.
The atmosphere is its own variable. Lazio’s ticketing notice of August 17 opened most Dall’Ara sectors to supporters resident outside the Lazio region, excluded the Curva Bulgarelli from general sale, and urged fans without a ticket not to travel. Reported season-ticket and away-support figures are low; the club has published none of its own.
Confirmed squads and the referee
Both squad lists are confirmed, not projected. Bologna, coached by Domenico Tedesco, named 25 players on August 23, including forwards Artem Dovbyk, Roberto Piccoli and Riccardo Orsolini. Jhon Lucumi and Nicolo Casale are absent, leaving Tedesco two centre-backs short.
Lazio’s 25-man list was published on matchday. Josip Sutalo, signed on loan from AFC Ajax with an option to buy on August 22, does not appear on it. Maresca — the referee, not the coach of the same surname — takes charge, with Di Paolo on VAR.
Picks & Predictions
Favourite: Bologna at +130 (2.30 decimal) on Bovada, +137 (2.37) on Pinnacle. The draw sits at +210 (3.10), Lazio at +245 (3.45), and Pinnacle’s Asian handicap on Bologna is -0.25 at +100.
Model call: Bologna 1, Lazio 0 — under 2.5 goals lands and the -0.25 line covers, consistent with a market total of 2.25 and Pinnacle pricing Bologna to score twice at just +153.
Props the market prices notably:
- Under 2.5 goals at -150 on Bovada — the central Pinnacle line is 2.25, below the 2.5 threshold.
- Bologna -0.25 Asian handicap at +100 on Pinnacle — even money on a side the book rates 41.0% outright, with a half-stake refund on a draw.
- Bologna team corners over 4.5 at -145 on Pinnacle — the book handicaps Bologna -1.5 on corners against a match line of 8.5.
Where the market looks weakest: Bologna -1.25 at +342 needs a two-goal home win, yet Pinnacle prices Bologna over 1.5 team goals at only +153 — under 40% implied for the scoring half alone.
Odds correct as of August 24, 2026. Informational only — not financial or betting advice. 18+ / 21+ depending on jurisdiction. See Responsible Gambling notice below.
FAQ
Q: What time does Bologna vs Lazio kick off?
A: 16:30 UTC / 18:30 CEST on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
Q: Who is favourite?
A: Bologna, at +130 on Bovada and +137 on Pinnacle — a fair probability of about 41%.
Q: Who is refereeing the match?
A: Fabio Maresca of the Napoli section, per the designation published by S.S. Lazio.
More European previews: Newcastle vs Liverpool odds and prediction and Malaga vs Deportivo LaLiga. Bologna’s squad is in the club’s matchday call-up.
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