Napoli travel to Verona on Tuesday evening brimming with confidence after earning bragging rights over Inter Milan and Juventus in the Italian Cup, and are favoured to nick a win over their opposition.
Serie A 2019/2020
Date: Tuesday, June 23
Kick-off: 18:30
Venue: Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi
Napoli had somehow, claimed the scalp of two Italian heavyweights enroute to winning their first major title in six seasons, drawing Inter first to move onto the final on aggregate before holding their nerve to triumph on penalties against Juve last time out.
So with a place in the Europa League already in the bag for next season, I Partenopei can now approach the rest of the league season with renewed vigour, as they bid to close the gap on fourth-placed Atalanta and perhaps even grab a Champions League berth.
Verona by all standards, are having a fine season and are in seventh place, a spot and a point adrift of their opponents, while holding the fourth-best defensive record in the division.
The 2-1 win over Cagliari last weekend was far from convincing, but manager Ivan Juric would have been pleased with the resolve and spirit his side showed after Fabio Borini’s first-half dismissal.
Though the paucity of goals have threatened to derail the lofty ambitions of I Gialloblu, a second consecutive victory here, their first since early January, will throw down the gauntlet for the likes of Roma and Atlanta who sit above them on the standings.
Team news
Hellas Verona
Fabio Borini is suspended following his sending off against Cagliari last time out.
Napoli
Genaro Gattuso is unlikely to make many alterations to the side that toppled Juve last time out.
Head to Head
There have been 17 competitive meetings between these two clubs in history. Napoli have won 14 of these games while Verona have a meagre three wins to their name.
Team form
Hellas Verona last five competitive games: DWDLW
Napoli last five competitive games: WDWDD
Betting tips
This is a potentially thrilling battle between two teams who are having brilliant seasons, so expect a very cagey, tensed affair in Verona. Both are harbouring ambitions of qualifying for Europe and will be out to make good of that. I’d expect them to trade goals, so picking the Both Teams To Score market looks the best punt to take here and is available for odds of 7/10.
