Preview: Cremonese vs Hellas Verona – predictions, team news, line-ups

Without a win in six Series A matches, Cremonese hosts cellar Hellas Verona on Monday at the Stadio Giovanni Zini.

Both teams are struggling for results ahead of the Week 21 match, with the hosts third and Verona bottom of the table over the last five rounds.

Match Preview

When Cremonese secured back-to-back wins against Bologna (3-1) and Lecce (2-0) for the start of December, Davide Nicola would have been forgiven for thinking the tide had turned after three consecutive defeats.

However, La Cremo’s joy was short-lived, with the promoted side having lost four of the last six league matches, including five recently in a 5-0 scoreline against Juventus in Turin.

What is particularly striking about the current streak of results is the Grigiorossi’s difficulty finding the back of the net with regularity, having failed to score in five of the last six matches.

This undeniably highlights the team’s main problems, and the 13th-placed hosts will be hoping to get lucky in the attacking third this time as they aim to secure their first win in over a month.

Failing to do so may not be fatal in the short term, with Nicola’s side eight points clear of the relegation zone, but they could start looking over their shoulder if the poor results continue.

Aiming to hand Cremonese the fourth home defeat in six matches in Cremona, Verona head into Monday’s match also in the middle of a dismal spell.

Defeating Atalanta (3-1) and securing maximum points in a six-point relegation match against Fiorentina (2-1) before Christmas offered hope to the Mastiffs.

However, these results were false dawns for the Venetian club, with four defeats and a draw after December 25.

They failed to score in three of five games and conceded three goals in three of those four defeats, highlighting problems at both ends of the pitch for Paolo Zanetti’s side.

Indeed, only three teams have scored fewer than Verona’s 17 goals — Lecce (13), Parma (14) and Pisa — and Mastini’s 34 conceded surpasses everyone in the division, all but validating their wider challenges in both boxes.

The trip to Cremona, where they are winless on their previous two visits, should see a match played on an even playing field, given the problems affecting both teams.

Cremonese Serie A shape:

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

Team News

© Imago / Gribaudi

Verona will be without suspended Giuseppe Pezzella, who is out on Monday after accumulating yellow cards, while Jeremy Sarmiento and Martin Payero are out through injury.

While Federico Bonazzoli and Jamie Vardy scored five goals each, the former had more joy on the road, with Vardy scoring three times in Cremona.

The visitors have other injury concerns ahead of Monday’s match: Tomas Suslov (knee), Martin Frese (muscle), Grigoris Kastanos (leg), Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (ankle) and Armel Bella-Kotchap are out, while Unai Nunez is out due to suspension.

Gift Orban and Giovane have both registered seven goals – four more than third-placed Antoine Bernede – and both players could start up front for the Mastiffs.

Six of Orban’s contributions have been goals, with 50% of those strikes coming away from home, underscoring his ability to make an impact in unfamiliar territory.

Cremonese possible starting eleven:

Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Zerbin, Grassi, Vandeputte, Bondo, Mussolini; Vardy, Bonazzoli

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Slotsager, Nelson, Valentini; Niasse, Serdar, Gagliardini, Bernède, Bradaric; Giovane, Orbán

We say: Cremonese 1-1 Hellas Verona

Given the recent goal droughts plaguing Cremonese and Verona, a cautious, low-scoring encounter is the most likely outcome as each team prioritizes defensive solidity over attacking risk.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.