Verona – Bologna : Preview & Prediction
A Serie A (SA) relegation-placed club like Verona limited league leaders Napoli to just one shot on target during an impressive goalless draw last Saturday. Coach Marco Zaffaroni mentioned that “it is a point that is worth a lot and will boost our morale” as it extended Verona’s record of having earned points in four of their last six matches (G1, E3, P2). As such, Verona are now incentivized by the fact that a win against Bologna would see them move out of the red zone of the table, albeit temporarily.
This could be a great incentive ahead of a period of the season that will see Verona face four of eight clubs currently ranked in the top eight of the table, starting with this match. This tricky schedule could place even more importance on home performance, and considering Verona have lost just one of their last seven league games (G4, E2) at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, confidence should be sky high as they look to continue an impressive home record in the top flight against their cross-town rivals (G7, E12, P4).
The clash between the two clubs in the first round of the season ended 1-1, which is the same scoreline with which Bologna drew against AC Milan last weekend, and after Juventus’ points deduction was reversed prior to this fixture, they now trail current seventh-placed Atalanta by five points. Coach Thiago Motta called it “the right result for both teams” as it extended Bologna’s unbeaten run (G2, E3), but with seventh place possibly giving them a ticket to European competition next season, Motta’s side will be disappointed if they drop points again in this match.
With Juventus taking on Napoli this matchday, Bologna are in a great position to snatch seventh place from them, but to do so they will need to win for the first time on a visit to their top flight rivals since November 2017. That should be motivation enough for Bologna to continue their positive record in their last six away appearances in SA (G4, E1, P1), with their offense scoring exactly two goals in five of those games.
Players to watch: Kevin Lasagna set up the assist for Verona’s decisive goal against their rivals at this same venue last season in SA (G 2-1). Bologna’s only goal in that match came from Riccardo Orsolini, who was sent off for the first time in his SA career in the previous meeting between the two clubs this campaign.
Bologna have seen the half-time scoreline replicated at the end of the game in seven of their last nine SA matches, something that also occurred in the first meeting between the two clubs in this league campaign.
Verona – Bologna : Betting Tips
Verona – Win Odds: 2.25
