Hellas Verona vs Roma Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Hellas Verona vs Roma on and what time does it start? Hellas Verona vs Roma will take place on Saturday 24th August, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Hellas Verona vs Roma? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Hellas Verona vs Roma on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to televise Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Hellas Verona vs Roma
Where can I stream Hellas Verona vs Roma in the UK? If Hellas Verona vs Roma is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
HELLAS VERONA
Last season, Hellas Verona survived the drop by winning the end of season playoff against Spezia. Themselves and Spezia had been neck and neck in 17th and 18th throughout the campaign and Serie A’s re-introduction of the rule that teams level on points in meaningful positions would playoff at the end of the season saw them play a historic encounter in June.
Now, under the management of Marco Baroni, who guided Lecce to promotion in 2022 and them helped them comfortably survive in 2023, they will be aiming to not be involved in any sort of relegation battle in 2024. Verona began the 2023/24 season with a 3-1 defeat of Ascoli in the first round of the Coppa Italia and then defeated Empoli by a goal to nil on the opening day of the Serie A season with a 75th minute winner from debutant Federico Bonazzoli.
ROMA
At the end of last season it had become quite apparent that Jose Mourinho was keen on leaving Roma after their penalty shootout defeat to Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League final. The Portuguese has remained in the Italian capital city but still complained about the lack of transfer activity, which he had been aware would be the case.
With Mourinho suspended from the touchline for the opening day, as well as key players Lorenzo Pellegrini and Paulo Dybala, the Giallorossi began the season in very underwhelming fashion, sharing a 2-2 draw with one of the pre-season favourites for relegation, Salernitana. In that match, Roma went ahead through Andrea Belotti before an Antonio Candreva either side of the half-time interval gave Salernitana the lead and then Belotti, in the absence of the injured Tammy Abraham, rescued a point late on.
THE TEAM NEWS
HELLAS VERONA
Marco Baroni has a few attacking injuries to deal with as Darko Lazovic and Thomas Henry are both confirmed absentees, whilst Jayden Braaf and Ajdin Hrustic are also doubts for this weekend’s clash.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Montipo; Magnani, Hien, Coppola; Faraoni, Hongla, Duda, Doig; Ngonge, Mboula; Bonazzoli
UNAVAILABLE: Lazovic (Injured), Henry (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Braaf (Injured), Hrustic (Injured)
ROMA
Jose Mourinho can welcome Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini back into the Roma side but remains without Tammy Abraham and also defender Marash Kumbulla.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Llorente; Kristensen, Cristante, Pellegrini, Spinazzola; Aouar, Dybala; Belotti
UNAVAILABLE: Abraham (Injured), Kumbulla (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both sides play a 3-4-2-1 system and both sides are striving for some early season fluency. Whilst Verona began with a good win away at Empoli, they are likely to simply try and stifle Paulo Dybala as that, as shown in Roma’s 2-2 draw with Salernitana where Dybala didn’t feature, is the key to preventing Roma playing well whatsoever – or so it seems. Mourinho may well come up with a plan and he has ‘his boys’ returning but if this is to be classic third season Mourinho then backing the hosts looks good value this weekend.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – HELLAS VERONA TO WIN OR DRAW
