Spezia-Verona is a Serie A Week 25 match played on Sunday at 12:30: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
A big slice of salvation is at stake in Sunday’s Serie A lunch match. The match between Spezia and Verona, respectively fourth-last and third-last in the standings, is a real crucial junction in the fight to maintain the category. Until a few weeks ago the matter seemed closed, but the recovery of the Scaligeri in the post-World Cup break has once again reopened everything. And with a win they could catch up with the Ligurians.
Yes, because Verona – who are travelling at a completely different pace in 2023 – are now only three points behind the Bianconeri. The margin of error is therefore very small for Spezia, who have changed coach in the meantime. Out Luca Gotti, exonerated after the draw in Empoli, in Leonardo Semplici, a coach who is looking for redemption after the unsuccessful experience in Cagliari. The man who a few seasons ago was able to lead Spal from C to A in just two seasons made his debut with a good 2-2 draw at home against Udinese – his second result in the last three days of the championship – in which striker Nzola, author of a brace, returned to the forefront.
Verona, what a disaster on the road
The aim, however, is to return Spezia to success as soon as possible. The Ligurians’ only win of the new year was in the away match in Turin, where the French centre forward scored the decisive goal.
Hien
Since that match the Bianconeri have only picked up two points, the defence has begun to creak – for the sixth day in a row Spezia have conceded at least two goals – and the attack has only found the way of goal in Empoli and Udine: in front of their own public Verde and his team-mates have not scored since 4 January. Verona’s run-up, on the other hand, was slowed down by Roma (1-0) and Fiorentina (0-3): Marco Zaffaroni’s Gialloblù lost two consecutive matches for the first time in 2023, both times running out of goals. But the Scaligeri’s Achilles’ heel is their away goals: away from the ‘Bentegodi’ they have not won for twelve matches and, above all, they have conceded at least one goal for 34 games.
Spezia-Verona: latest line-up news
Spezia’s infirmary shows no sign of emptying out: two key players like Holm and Bastoni will be missing against Verona. Semplici has now launched the switch to a four-man defence, with Amian and Reca on the flanks and Ampadu and Nikolaou in the centre. Former Fiorentina player Zurkowski is better, and will sit on the bench. Up front the Tuscan coach will reintroduce the trident with Verde, Nzola and Gyasi: the first alternative is Shomurodov.
Zaffaroni’s doubt is in attack, where he will have to choose between Gaich and Lasagna. Certain of a starting shirt instead is Ngonge. Confirmed in midfield for Duda, Tameze and Lazovic, the latter as a winger. In defence, Dawidowicz-Coppola will fight it out
The prediction
The tension will be cut to ribbons in this direct clash that could revolutionise the fight for salvation. It is difficult to predict a winner, but Verona’s less than exceptional performance away from their fans makes us lean towards Spezia, who look likely to avoid a defeat that would be painful. Both should score in a match that is likely to be nervous. Watch out for yellow cards
Spezia v Verona matchday squad
- SPEZIA (4-3-3): Dragowski; Amian, Ampadu, Nikolaou, Reca; Ekdal, Bourabia, Agudelo; Gyasi, Nzola, Verde.
- VERONA (3-5-2): Montipò; Magnani, Hien, Dawidowicz; Faraoni, Duda, Tameze, Lazovic, Doig; Ngonge, Gaich.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
