Hellas Verona vs Bologna Preview
Watch Hellas Verona vs Bologna Preview, as the relegation threatened Hellas verona and Bologna are separated by 10 places in the league at the Marcantonio Bentegodi stadium.
Verona’s creditable point at champions-elect Napoli last Saturday leaves them three points off safety, while Bologna held inconsistent AC Milan to a draw in Reggio Emilia.
Marco Zaffaroni would have taken a point before his side travelled to Naples last week, but the visitors at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona could have claimed all three had Cyril Ngonge scored his late opportunity.
They left Napoli after giving a good account of themselves in extending their unbeaten run to two games, securing four points from an available six.
The upshot of the goalless encounter means the Mastiffs are only three points adrift of 17th-placed Spezia with eight Serie A fixtures remaining.
With the team above them not winning in four games, losing twice in that time, Verona could still beat relegation, especially if 16th-placed Lecce and 15th-placed Salernitana who lead Zaffaroni’s men with five and seven points continue to falter in the run-in.
Neither side has claimed maximum points in their last five league games each, although the Salerno outfit have played out five draws.
Verona hosts in-form Bologna on Friday, with the visitors still buoyed by last weekend’s 1-1 draw at outgoing champions Milan.
Stefano Pioli’s much-rotated side were held in Emilia-Romagna despite edging the game for shots and Expected Goals, thus extending Bologna’s unbeaten run to five.
Only two games in that run have produced victories, although it must be considered that Thiago Motta’s troops have faced Lazio, Milan and Atalanta in that time.
Only the game against the Bergamaschi was a success, a win that has positioned the Red and Blues for a late European tussle.
Thiago Motta‘s team are eighth in the standings, five adrift of seventh-placed Atalanta and seven behind Inter Milan in sixth, who occupy the last continental spot in the competition.
Team news and Injury
Miguel Veloso and Giangiacomo Magnani were suspended at Napoli last Saturday, but Zaffaroni should welcome both back for Verona on Friday.
The quartet of Thomas Henry, Ajdin Hrustic, Darko Lazovic and Deyovaisio Zeefuik are expected to miss out, whilst Josh Doig is unlikely to feature after going off after 45 minutes in Naples due to a foot injury.
Roberto Soriano is out for a month after suffering a ligament injury and could be replaced by Riccardo Orsolini, who returns from suspension for Bologna.
Andrea Cambiaso (muscle) and Marko Arnautovic (foot) are also ruled out of round 30’s encounter.
Hellas Verona vs Bologna head-to-head stats
Bologna had a good recent record against Hellas Verona and have won 13 of the last 25 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Hellas Verona’s five victories.
Bologna is unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches against Hellas Verona in the Serie A and have found the back of the net in each of these games. Hellas Verona have lost only 15 of their 47 matches against Bologna in the Serie A – their lowest loss percentage against an opponent against whom they have played at least 40 league games.
Hellas Verona have won only one of their last seven home games against Bologna in the Serie A but did win their most recent such game by a 2-1 margin last year. Hellas Verona have won only one of their three Serie A matches played on a Friday but did win such a game against Bologna last year.
Hellas Verona vs Bologna prediction
Bologna have been in impressive form in recent weeks and were excellent in their previous game against AC Milan. The away side could secure a European spot this season and will look to step up to the plate in this fixture.
Hellas Verona can pack a punch on their day and have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Both teams are evenly matched at the moment and could play out a draw in this fixture.
