Separated by a single point in the Serie A standings Cagliari and Hellas Verona will face off at the Unipol Domus in a match pivotal to both teams survival hopes. With both sides conceding goals at an alarming rate over the past few weeks and the stakes being high, this match will surely be entertaining as both teams look to secure valuable points in the fight to avoid relegation.
Cagliari come into this match after two spirited draws where they held AC Milan to a 3-3 result before rescuing a late 2-2 draw against Genoa last weekend. Davide Nicola’s side have shown resilience earning points from a losing position more than most Serie A teams this season. However, their defensive struggles remain a major concern having conceded at least two goals in each of their last six league outings. But history is on their side as nine of Cagliari’s ten Serie A victories over Verona have come on home ground as they look to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Verona meanwhile, enter this match recovering from a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Inter Milan. With 32 goals conceded this season they hold the worst defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. On top of that they have nine losses, the joint highest in the league. Despite this, Paolo Zanetti’s side is unbeaten in their last nine league encounters with Cagliari which is their longest streak against any Serie A opponent. A switch to a four man back-line is possible to bolster their weak defence as they seek to reverse their fortunes on the road where they have won just once this season.
Davide Nicola’s Cagliari is completely healthy as Roberto Piccoli, who scored last week will lead the attack aiming to add to his 16 Serie A goals this season. Simone Scuffet is likely to replace Alen Sherri in goal after missing out last weekend.
Injuries sideline Juan Cruz, Ondrej Duda, and Martin Frese while Diego Coppola may return from an ankle injury. Zanetti may opt for a tactical change with either Casper Tengstedt or Daniel Mosquera dropping to the bench in favour of a more compact defensive shape.
Cagliari possible lineup: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello; Marin, Adopo; Zortea, Gaetano, Luvumbo; Piccoli
Verona possible lineup: Montipo; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Magnani, Bradaric; Belahyane, Serdar; Suslov, Harroui, Lazovic; Tengstedt
CAGLIARI VS HELLAS VERONA
4.10
HELLAS VERONA - WINNER
