Recent Play Details

4% Hellas Verona (9:00 AM ET): After picking up just its second win of the season two matchweeks ago (2-0 over winless Cremonese), it was back to losing for Verona last week as they dropped all three points (as expected) to Inter Milan, 1-0. The Scaligeri conceded just three minutes into the match, but can at least take solace in the fact they held Inter scoreless the rest of the way. Make no mistake about it though, this fixture is a must win for Verona if they are to have any chance of survival here in Serie A, where they remain in the relegation zone and are seven points adrift of safety. 

Meanwhile, Lecce is unbeaten in all competitions going back to October, a truly stunning run of form. Over the last six matches, Lecce has won three and drawn three. They continued their unbeaten run last week with a 2-2 draw against reigning Scudetto holders AC Milan. Up 2-0 at halftime, Lecce probably feels like they should have walked away with the full three points, but note they got an early gift (an own goal) from AC Milan. 

While LY’s Serie B winners currently sit 11 points and four places above Verona in the table, take note that these two sides are basically dead even in xPts this season. Verona has probably been as unlucky as any side in Europe’s “Big 5” leagues in that regard. They know how critical these three points are Saturday and I expect they’ll grab them all. Lecce is bottom five in the league in xPts away from home. Samp and Cremonese not making a move out of the bottom three is a given; but Verona figures to fight. 4% Hellas Verona (Play to +100)