Hellas Verona and AS Roma meet at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi this Sunday evening for the final round of the Serie A season. While the stakes are vastly different for both sides, the match brings the curtain down on a campaign that has seen Roma push hard for a top-four finish, while Verona have unfortunately already seen their relegation confirmed.
Hellas Verona Form & Analysis
It has been a difficult season for Paolo Sammarco’s side, who head into this final fixture sitting 19th in the table with just 21 points. Relegation has been a reality for some time, and their recent form underlines the struggles they have faced all year. They are currently on a nine-match winless streak, though they managed to show some grit in their last outing by holding Inter to a 1-1 draw away from home.
Despite their standing, Verona have shown a tendency to keep things tight in front of their own fans recently, even if the results have not followed. With nothing left to lose, Sammarco is expected to field a side that plays with freedom, looking to sign off on a positive note for the home support. Their squad remains largely available, and having navigated the trip to the San Siro without significant fresh injury concerns, the manager will likely stick to his core group for this last 90 minutes of top-flight football.
AS Roma Form & Analysis
Gian Piero Gasperini has overseen a formidable run of form that has kept Roma firmly in the hunt for the Champions League spots. They enter this final day in fourth position, buoyed by a 2-0 derby victory over Lazio last weekend, where Gianluca Mancini’s double proved the difference. Roma are currently on a six-match unbeaten streak, winning five of those encounters.
Gasperini has been clear that the team’s focus remains absolute. While Lorenzo Pellegrini is a doubt due to an injury that will be assessed closer to kick-off, the likes of Paulo Dybala are fit and ready to go. Roma’s away record has been respectable this term, and with the side still chasing their final-day objective, they are unlikely to take their foot off the gas. They have demonstrated a clinical edge lately, particularly in their ability to strike first and control the tempo of matches.
## Head-to-Head
The historical trend in this fixture suggests that clean sheets are a rarity. Verona have failed to keep a clean sheet against Roma in their last 10 meetings across all competitions. While Roma have generally had the better of the exchanges, the games are rarely straightforward, often producing goals at both ends of the pitch.
We Predict: Both Teams To Score
Given the lack of pressure on the hosts and Roma’s necessity to remain competitive, this sets up for an open final-day encounter. Verona will be eager to give their fans a send-off, and their recent draw at Inter shows they can still find the net against top-tier opposition. With Roma’s attacking quality and their need to secure a result, there is every reason to expect both sides to find the target.
We are backing Both Teams To Score 2.2035, with a final scoreline of 1-2 in favour of AS Roma.
