Prediction: Verona vs Juventus

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Serie A table, Juventus will make the trip to a struggling Verona on Thursday night.

Verona

Starting with the hosts, while Verona might have shocked many across Italy last season as they claimed a top-half finish last season, the Gialloblu have rather drastically failed to keep up that momentum this time around. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they were hit with a deserved 2-0 loss away at Monza, Salvatore Bocchetti’s men find themselves at the heart of a Serie A nightmare. Managing to muster just five points from their opening 13 top-flight contests, the Veneto-based outfit sit rock-bottom of the table and tipped as a leading relegation pick as we enter the World Cup’s festive break. Likewise, now losing each of their previous eight domestic contests on the spin – a run that stems all the way back to September 4th – Verona have continued to gain a reputation for their rather glaring issues at the back.

Team News

Sent off in Verona’s 2-0 loss away at Monza last weekend, Thursday’s hosts will be unable to call upon Giangiacomo Magnani here as the 27-year-old serves a suspension.

However, in what could be a much-welcomed boost for Bocchetti’s side, Pawel Dawidowicz, Federico Ceccherini and Fabio Depaoli could all make their return here.

Juventus

As for the visitors, while Juventus might have endured a rather public Champions League nightmare this season, it appears that the Italian giants have found a much-welcomed domestic boost. Last seen over the weekend when putting in an eye-catching display on home soil as they claimed a 2-0 victory against Inter Milan, there is no doubt that the Old Lady will be desperate to build off of that performance. Now sat just two points adrift of finding a route back into the top-four, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have won each of their previous four Serie A outings. Likewise, keeping a clean sheet in each of those four consecutive top-flight victories, Juve should be smelling another golden chance on Thursday night. Claiming a 2-0 win when they welcomed Verona to Turin back on February 6th, Allegri’s side are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here.

Team News

Juventus have confirmed that they will once again be without the likes of Paul Pogba, Weston McKennie, Mattia De Sciglio and Dusan Vlahovic on Thursday night.

However, after returning to training earlier in the week, Leandro Paredes and Moise Kean could play some part here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back on February 6th, Juventus picked up a 2-0 victory in Turin.
• The former Italian champions have won each of their last four Serie A matchups by an aggregate score of 8-0
• Verona have lost each of their last eight Serie A contests on the spin – a run that has seen them ship over 1.5 goals in each of those eight consecutive defeats.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts have collected just five points from a possible 39 since opening the 2022/23 campaign.
• 21-year-old Nicolo Fagioli has found the net in back-to-back Serie A appearances.

Conclusion

Picking up an eye-catching 2-0 victory at home against Inter Milan last weekend, Juventus should be smelling another golden chance on Thursday night. Now winning each of their previous four Serie A contests on the spin, the Old Lady have also shown some much-needed resolve at the back. Likewise, claiming a 2-0 win when they last faced off against Verona back in February, the relegation scrappers should face another tough test here. Losing each of their last eight top-flight victories on the spin, the Gialloblu have remarkably collected just five points since opening the 2022/23 campaign. Given the recent gulf in class between the two sides, an away victory can be found at appealing odds in midweek.

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet