Hellas Verona travel to rock-bottom Salernitana on Monday evening, hoping to secure their Serie A status for another season.
The hosts have nothing but pride to play for, having already been mathematically relegated.
Match preview
Salernitana almost caused a major upset against Juventus last Sunday, but conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 at the Allianz Stadium.
Niccolo Pierozzi put the Granata ahead three minutes before half time and they looked set for all three points until Adrien Rabiot netted for Juventus in the 91st minute.
However, the result mattered little for Stefano Colantuono's side, as their relegation was confirmed in April, and they play for pride only.
Salernitana are 13 points adrift of 19th-placed Sassuolo heading into gameweek 37, with their last Serie A victory coming in the reverse fixture against Verona back in December.
A win on Monday would see the Granata complete the double over a top-flight team for just the second time in their history, having only achieved this feat over Venezia in the 2021-22 season.
However, a draw would be their first in consecutive games since August 2023 when they drew against Roma and Udinese.
Verona's survival hopes were dented last time out, as they surrendered a lead to lose 2-1 against Torino at Stadio Bentegodi, marking their second defeat in the last three matches.
Since March, the Gialloblu have picked up 14 points from a possible 30, which helped them climb out of the relegation zone. However, they remain precariously close, with their 34 points from 36 matches leaving them just two points ahead of 18th-placed Empoli.
Verona will hope they continue the trend across their last nine matches, having never repeated the same result in this period.
However, Hellas have not won in their two previous Serie A away matches at Salernitana. If they lose on Monday, it will be their first time losing two games in a row since they fell to both the Granata and league champions Inter Milan in consecutive matches between December and January.
Team News
Giulio Maggiore and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are ruled out for Salernitana, with the former recovering from a knee injury and the latter from a muscle issue.
Jerome Boateng and Norbert Gyomber are doubtful, with both players nursing muscle problems, while Iron Gomis and Antonio Candreva have physical discomfort and could sit out of this one.
Verona will have to line up without Thomas Henry, as the forward was sent off in stoppage time against Torino and is suspended.
Juan Cruz also misses out through a thigh injury that is expected to keep him out until later this month.
Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Zanoli, Sambia, Coulibaly, Basic; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi
Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Montipo; Centonze, Coppola, Magnani, Cabal; Dawidowicz, Duda; Noslin, Serdar, Lazovic; Bonazzoli
We say: Salernitana 1-1 Hellas Verona
Verona have traditionally struggled away to Salernitana. Their defeat by the hosts earlier this season highlights the difficulties they always face in these encounters. Nevertheless, we believe they might be able to salvage a draw this time around.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
