It’s a relegation dog-fight with both sides desperate for three points in these Verona vs. Spezia predictions. With so much on the line ahead of the winter break, a stalemate could be in the offing at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
Verona vs. Spezia odds
1 – A draw at full-time -45/17
2 – Spezia to win by one goal – 9/2
3 – M’Bala Nzola to score anytime – 15/2
4 – Over 2.5 goals – 8/7
5 – Both teams to score – 3/4
Two of the Serie A bottom five face off as Verona welcome Spezia to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. The Gialloblu have not lost to their weekend opponents in their last six meetings, winning all but one. But the Aquilotti are favourites going into Sunday’s clash.
The campaign has been a significant disappointment from a Spezia perspective following a busy summer transfer window. Having fired Thiago Motta in the summer and replaced him with Luca Gotti, the Aquilotti have picked up just two wins from their opening 13 games.
Fortunately for Sunday’s travelling side, their hosts have had an even worse campaign, with Verona currently on an eight-match losing streak, having won just once all season. Last weekend’s defeat to relegation candidates Monza has put further pressure on Salvatore Bocchetti to secure an all-important win on Sunday although a draw is more likely at the Bentegodi.
Overall, Spezia are slight favourites ahead of the clash, having put in spirited performances in defeat to Milan and Fiorentina in recent weeks. The visitors also have the benefit of an in-form forward with M’bala Nzola having scored twice as many goals as any other player that will feature on Sunday. Spezia to win by a one goal margin and Nzola to score are therefore our tips for this clash.
Neither side has been particularly impressive going forward this season, yet two poor defences could still result in a high-scoring match on Sunday. Four out of the last six encounters between the sides have seen three or more goals scored. So a wager on over 2.5 on Sunday could pay off.
Similarly, with Verona yet to secure a clean sheet this season – and Spezia doing so just once – a bet on both teams to score may well be a winner.
How to stream Verona vs. Spezia
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Verona vs. Spezia last five matches
Verona last five matches
Spezia last five matches
Verona top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 5 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 |
Spezia top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 13 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 |
Verona vs. Spezia line-ups
Verona (3-4-2-1) Montipo; Doig, Gunter, Faraoni; Deapaoli, Hongla, Veloso, Lazovic; Tameze, Kalon; Henry
Spezia (3-5-2) Dragowski; Ampadu, Kiwior, Hristov; Reca, Bourabia, Ekdal, Agudelo, Holm; Verde, Nzola
Verona team news
Giangiacomo Magnani will slot back into the back line having served his one-match suspension mid-week. Pawel Dawidowicz, Isak Hien and Federico Ceccherini will likely remain in the starting XI having missed last weekend’s defeat to Monza. Salvatore Bocchetti may opt for a more attacking line-up against Verona, with Kevin Lasagna and Simone Verdi both pushing for starts up front.
Spezia team news
Simone Bastoni may be fit to return for Sunday’s game but will probably only make the bench. Viktor Kovalenko remains sidelined until the New Year but Dimitrios Nikolaou is available once again at centre-back. Arkadiusz Reca will hope for a start having provided an assist in the defeat to Milan.