Prediction: Verona vs Inter

Verdict: Inter to lead at half-time 

Best odds: 2.02

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Verona welcomes the newly crowned champions of Italy Inter Milan in the closing game of the Serie A season. With both teams reaching their targets and no stakes at play, the teams are looking more to the summer holiday rather than the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi fixture.

Verona

Verona escaped relegation this term thanks to a strong finish in the Seria A that propelled the hosts to safety before the final round. An excellent run that stems back to 20 April in which the local team won 3 of their 5 games, steered the ship to safety to the excitement of Verona’s fans who will see their favourites playing Serie A football the following season.

Despite suffering a heavy blow in the survival fight against Torino in the last game played at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium (1-2), Marco Baroni’s team recovered greatly at relegated Salernitana. It was the win Verona desperately needed to avoid a last-day drama considering the upcoming difficult fixture against champions Inter.

Verona started on the front foot against Salernitana taking the lead in the 22nd minute of play with a goal followed by Michael Forolunso just before the break that cleared all the survival doubts. Although Salernitana was hoping to make a good impression in the last Serie A game in front of their fans, a second-half comeback was a mission impossible despite closing the gap with a goal scored in the 90th minute.

Despite Inter dominating Verona at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium, Verona aims to produce a shock result and repeat the 1992 performance that brought the only win against Inter (1-0). 

Team News

Centre forward Juan Manuel Cruz will not play for Verona in the final game of the season due to suffering an injury that was not disclosed. Marco Baroni is expected to line up the best formation and test his team’s strength against Inter.

Inter

Inter cruised in the Seria A by dominating the competition from start to finish. However, despite being the dominant force in the championship, Simone Inzaghi’s side failed to win the double after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against Bologna (2-1) in the round of 16 of Coppa d’Italia. Furthermore, the new Seria A champions failed to impress at the European level being knocked in the Champions League’s last 16 by Atletico Madrid, despite winning the 1st leg.

Although Juventus, followed by Milan proved to be formidable opponents in the Serie A title race, Inter’s championship consistency prevailed in the end. Furthermore, as the Serie A level dropped with teams like Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Roma and Lazio underperforming during the entire season, the Scudetto affair was already settled before entering the final stages of the competition.

Surprisingly enough, it was not one of the teams mentioned above that defeated Inter in the Serie A but relegated Sassuolo who stopped Simone Inzaghi’s team from levelling the record of Milan, Juventus and Perugia of winning the Scudetto undefeated.

Lautaro Martinez was instrumental in Serie A topping the goalscorer charts with 24 goals and two assists. However, the Argentinean ace will be keen to get back on the scoreboard against Verona after a string of disappointing displays that saw him net a single goal in the last seven games.

Inter can get closer to their record points tally in Serie A (97). A win against Verona will have Simone Izaghi’s team finish with 96 points, one less than Roberto Mancini’s stellar impressive 97-point finish that brought the Scudetto in 2007.

Team News

Simone Izaghi has a full-fit squad available to take on Verona. With the Serie A title already settled and with Lautaro Martinez winning the goalscorer prize, we can expect some changes in Inter’s lineup.

Key factors to consider

• Verona avoided relegation following an impressive end-of-the-season run (3 wins from the last 5 games)
• The hosts sealed their survival by defeating Salernitana (1-2)
• Marco Baroni’s team proved able to compete against Serie A’ best by defeating AS Roma and Fiorentina at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium
• Inter won their 29th Scudetto in great style losing only a pair of games during the entire campaign
• The visitors averaged 2.35 goals scored in Serie A
• Simone Izaghi’s team defeated Frosinone 5-0 in the last game played on the road

Conclusion

We anticipate a laid-back atmosphere in the hosts’ camp as Verona has reached safety ahead of Inter in the decisive match at Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Although While Inter also won the championship a while back, we predict the Nerrazzuri’s calibre will be sufficient for the team to record its 30th victory of the year.

Verdict: Inter to lead at half-time 

Best odds: 2.02

Bookmaker: ZetBet