Prediction: Verona vs Lecce

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.89

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Verona will be looking to get out of the relegation zone with a home win against Lecce. The match will start Monday night at 19:30 on Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium. More than 30,000 fans are expected to back their favourites for a much-needed 3 points.

Verona

Marco Baroni, the experienced Italian manager failed to impress since his arrival this summer. After a perfect start to the season with an away 1-0 win at Empoli, Verona pulled an impressive home victory against Jose Mourinho’s Roma (2-1). Since then, the Yellow-Blues went on to have a disastrous spell of results, failing to win in their last 11 competitive matches. Sitting on 19th with 8 points after 12 rounds, Leece needs a win to ease the pressure put on by the fans who started to lose their patience with the coaching staff and the players.

Losing the last 3 matches played at home by displaying abysmal performances, with 7 goals conceded and scoring only twice, this is a very low point for Verona. The defeats against Atalanta and Napoli were somehow expected. However, a shocking 3-1 loss with Monza on Marc’Antonio Bentegodi was the drop that filled the fan’s cup. Marco Baroni’s chair is shaking after 6 consecutive matches lost. The experienced manager could be sacked if he doesn’t get a positive result against Lecce. Verona had all the necessary time to prepare all the details for this tricky fixture against tonight’s opponent, benefiting from the international break.

Team News

Jayden Braaf, the former Manchester City Academy graduate who has been out for 2 months with an undisclosed injury, will not feature against Lecce. Pawel Davidowicz and Darko Lazovic are expected to return in the 1st squad thanks to a speedy recovery.

Marco Baroni will stick to his 3-5-2 system. Pawel Davidowicz, Magnani and Terracciano will form the back line. A strong midfield consisting of 5 players will support Bonazzolli and Djuric who will try to score and get the much-needed win.

Lecce

Lecce dropped their rhythm in the last matches after a sensational start to the season. The visitors showed signs of recovery, winning 1 point at home with AC Milan by turning around a 2-0 deficit from the 1st half. Roberto D’Aversa’s debut at Lecce was perfect after defeating Lazio at home (2-0), in the 1st game of the season. The excellent run continued with another 2 wins and 2 draws putting the visitors in the top 4 after 5 rounds. Failing to win in the last 8 competitive matches was a surprise fall that sent Lecce just 5 points above relegation.

Lecce’s schedule has eased up with some relatively accessible games ahead. The draw against Milan could potentially ignite a re-birth of the team that impressed at the start of this season. Roberto D’Aversa’s players will face Bologna, Empoli and Frosinone, the last 2 being potential direct adversaries in the relegation battle. Lecce needs to improve their record against Verona suffering 4 consecutive defeats.

Team News

Pontus Almqvist is still recovering from his hamstring injury and will not make the trip to Verona. Ylber Ramadani, the defensive midfield, is suspended. Joan Gonzales and Hamza Rafia are also one booking away from suspension.

Roberto D’Aversa will stick to his 4-3-3 attacking system, counting on the players who pulled a sensational comeback against Milan to repeat the same performance with Verona. Pongracic and Baschirotto are a solid centre back pair with Gendrey and Dorgu covering the sides. Ramadani, Kaba and Rafia will be looking to take control over the midfield. Krstovic will play as a striker backed by Sferezza and Banda (who scored against Milan).

Key factors to consider

• Verona has had a disastrous season failing to win in their last 11 matches (D2L9).
• The home team form is dipping losing all of their last 5 Serie A games.
• Roberto D’Aversa’s side sits 19th in the table, 2 points below the safety.
• Lecce came back from behind against AC Milan to get a much-deserved point (2-2 final result).
• The visitors won last time on Marc’Antonio Bentegodi in a Serie B match played in 2018 (2-0).
• This season, Lecce failed to win a competitive match played away (D3L2).

Conclusion

Verona vs Lecce will be an all-or-nothing game for both sides. While the visitors displayed some signs of recovery coming back from behind against Milan, the hosts have the h2h upper hand. Backed by their own fans Verona will put pressure on Lecce, leading to an open game. Both sides displayed weakness in defence conceding many goals, leading to a very probable BTTS scenario to unfold.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.89

Bookmaker: Zetbet