Verona vs Bologna prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-09-17 18:45.
Hellas Verona lost 3-1 at Sassuolo earlier this month, missing a chance to start a Serie A (SA) campaign with three straight wins for only the second time in their history after 1984/85. Yet the positive effect of three straight competitive wins prior to that result can’t be ruled out as manager Marco Baroni now looks to bounce back by sealing the three points on Monday night. That would make him the first coach to pick up more than two victories in his first four top-flight matches in charge of the club!
Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi will be full of anticipation as the Venetians have won both their matches at home this season, including a 2-1 win over Roma last time out. Having beaten Bologna at this venue last term, the hosts can also make it a historic occasion of consecutive top-flight H2H wins since December 1978.
Bologna went into the international break off the back of a come-from-behind 2-1 SA win over Cagliari, making it a steady opening to their season (W1, D1, L1). Head coach Thiago Motta celebrated the break by becoming “finally Italian” after being given honorary citizenship of the municipality of Polesella, while also brushing aside talks of renewing his contract, saying that “minds are 200%” on the upcoming match.
The visitors could celebrate their boss’ new status by extending their four-game unbeaten away league streak (W2, D2) stretching back to last season, which is actually their best top-flight away run since March 2012. Yet the Rossoblù will be wary of their poor recent record at the Bentegodi after losing their last two away SA H2Hs, which means they are now looking to avoid suffering three straight away defeats against Verona for the first time ever in this competition.
Players to watch: Verona’s Cyril Ngonge has scored in his last two matches, both times netting the second goal of the game. Meanwhile, Lewis Ferguson is turning out to be an away-day specialist for Bologna, having scored in their last three SA road trips and helping them win seven points in the process.
Hot stat: The home side of the day has scored first in six of the last seven SA H2Hs.