Spezia and Verona will be looking to get off the second half of the 2021-22 Serie A with a positive result when they lock horns in their opening league action of 2022 at the Stadio Alberto Picco on Thursday evening with kickoff at 16:30.
Spezia had a difficult first half of the campaign with the club recording four wins, four draws and 11 defeats in their 19 league matches to collect 16 points which have left them sitting just a place and five points above the relegation zone.
However, Spezia ended 2021 in a special way as they impressive beat Napoli 1-0 at away making it two unbeaten league matches for Thiago Motta’s side. They will now be looking to keep the momentum going as they aim at getting 2022 underway with a positive result. Also they will be looking to move further away from the drop zone and will be in for the three points.
Meanwhile, Verona almost made a balanced campaign during the first half of this season as they recorded six wins, six draws and seven defeats from their 19 league matches. They currently sit in the 12th spot in the standings on 24 points with just three outside the top half.
Verona however, ended the first half and 2021 in a poor form as they haven’t won in their last four matches across all competitions and they head into the match on the back of 1-1 draw against Fiorentina at home, which saw them record their third winless match in Serie A.
Verona will therefore be looking put an end to the slump as they at starting the New Year on a positive note. Although Igor Tudor’s side have been struggling on the road this season with club wining just one of their nine away matches.
Spezia vs Verona head to head
Both sides have met in 16 encounters since 2006 with Verona claiming eight wins while Spezia have claimed four victories and there have been four draws.
- Verona 4-0 Spezia 03/10/21
- Verona 1-1 Spezia 01/05/21
- Spezia 0-1 Verona 03/01/21
- Spezia 1-2 Verona 17/02/19
- Verona 2-1 Spezia 25/09/18
Home
- Napoli 0-1 Spezia
- Spezia 1-1 Empoli
- Spezia 0-2 Lecce
- Roma 2-0 Spezia
- Spezia 2-2 Sassuolo
Away
- Verona 1-1 Fiorentina
- Torino 1-0 Verona
- Verona 3-4 Empoli
- Verona 1-2 Atalanta
- Venezia 2-4 Verona
Spezia team news
Spezia will be without Leo Sena through an injury while Petko Hristov, M’bala Nzola, Victor Kovalenko and Rey Manaj will beout due to testing posive for Covid-19 and Ebrima Colley is unavailable. Both Daniele Verde and Jacopo Sala are doubts.
Verona team news
Verona will be without Gianluca Frabotta, Nikola Kalinic, Pawel Dawidowicz and Antonin Barak due to injuries while Giangiacomo Magnanni will be out due to Covid-19 protocols and Martin Hongla is unavailable.
Prediction and odds
- Draw
- Away win
- Goals under 2.5
