Bologna vs Inter Milan, Preview: Will the Inter Express train stop in Bologna?

The Nerazzurri are coming into this clash on the back of four consecutive league victories, clearly putting their early season wobbles in the rearview mirror. In contrast, the home side are beginning to slide down the table, losing three from their last four, including an unexpected defeat last weekend at Cagliari.

Inter Milan have players out, and played in the Europa League on Thursday night, but their strength in depth could be the key to getting a vital result.

The big question for Stefano Pioli's Bologna will be how many defenders he lines up with. Last week's switch to a back three was a risk which didn't pay off against Cagliari, despite an impressive performance by Mikael Antonsson.

Andrea Stramaccioni is expected to keep faith with an attacking 3-4-3 formation. Philippe Coutinho limped out of Inter's midweek clash with Partizan Belgrade and is expected to be out for three weeks, so Antonio Cassano should play behind Diego Milito and Rodrigo Palacio. The latter has two goals in two games for his new club and is confident his injury troubles are behind him.

Both took victories on each other's grounds last year. Inter won out at the Dall'Ara 3-1, while Bologna emerged from the San Siro 3-0 winners.

Out: Robert Acquafresca, Henry Gimenez (injured)

Out: Wesley Sneijder, Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Stankovic, Cristian Chivu, Gaby Mudingayi, Macdonald Mariga (injured)