Hellas Verona head into their contest at Brescia on Sunday evening having closed the gap on fifth position in the Serie A standings to just six points.

Meanwhile, after succumbing to Inter Milan by a 6-0 scoreline, Brescia now find themselves bottom of the table, seven points adrift of safety.

Match preview

Before the suspension of football due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hellas Verona had put together one of the best defensive records in Serie A, keeping the club in contention for a place in the Europa League.

However, seven goals have been conceded since the resumption, and it has forced Ivan Juric's side to show their attacking qualities in a bid to remain as a threat to the teams above them.

That was on show on Wednesday evening as Verona came from behind to claim a potentially-crucial 3-2 victory over Parma, a result which moved them three points clear of their opponents.

Verona have also benefitted from Roma, Napoli and AC Milan all failing to win in midweek, leaving the club within six points of the top five.

Although they still have to play each of the teams placed between second and fifth over the coming weeks, Juric will at least feel content that his players are showing character after their disappointing performances immediately after the resumption.

All things considered, a trip to the Mario Rigamonti Stadium has come at the right time for Verona after their hosts were thrashed by Inter earlier this week.

Brescia never recovered from conceding a fifth-minute goal at San Siro, and it remains to be seen whether losing by such a scoreline will have lingering effects on a team already low on confidence.

Le Rondinelle are now without a win in 14 matches in Serie A, a run which stretches back to December, while they have not defeated a team outside of the relegation zone since September.

Although the gap to safety remains at seven points with nine matches left, Brescia could be cut adrift if they do not get maximum points on the board against Verona or Torino, games which come before a double-header with Roma and Atalanta BC.

Brescia Serie A form: LLLDDL

Hellas Verona Serie A form: DLWLDW

Team News

Despite their heavy defeat on Wednesday evening, Brescia boss Diego Lopez could name the same starting lineup.

Lopez continues to have to do without key defender Andrea Cistana, who has been sidelined since February.

Changes are also likely to be few and far between with regards to Verona's first XI.

However, Mattia Zaccagni is pushing for a recall after scoring soon after his half-time introduction against Parma.

Matteo Pessina is also knocking on the door after netting in his last two outings, the latter of which came from the substitutes' bench.

Brescia possible starting lineup:
Joronen; Sabelli, Papetti, Mateju, Semprini; Dessena, Tonali, Bjarnason; Zmrhal; Donnarumma, Torregrossa

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Rrahmani, Gunter, Kumbulla; Faraoni, Amrabat, Veloso, Lazovic; Zaccagni, Verre; Carmine

We say: Brescia 0-2 Hellas Verona

Given the manner of their defeat in midweek, it is difficult to see Brescia being able to provide an immediate response. Therefore, a professional, efficient performance from Verona could do the job, something they will feel is ideal after the thriller on Tuesday night.