Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Cagliari - prediction, team news, lineups

Hellas Verona play host to Cagliari on Sunday afternoon looking to remain in seventh place in the Serie A standings.

Meanwhile, Cagliari make the trip to Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi‎ sitting in 12th position, four points adrift of their defensive-minded opponents.

Match preview

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While Verona have come through their last half a dozen games with just one defeat, three draws have meant that Ivan Juric's side have not made regular progress up the standings.

However, last weekend's victory away at Atalanta BC has the potential to alter the mindset at the club as they bid to break into the top six.

Miguel Veloso and Mattia Zaccagni both got on the scoresheet for the first time this season, their double helping Verona to their solitary away success since September.

Verona also kept their fourth clean sheet of the campaign, retaining their spot as the best defence in Italy's top flight over the past nine games.

With a favourable fixture list ahead of them, I Gialloblu will be disappointed if they are any lower than their current position at the midway point of the season.

Despite putting together a better start than their opponents in the league, Verona suffered defeat to Cagliari when the teams met in the Coppa Italia on November 25.

On that occasion, a last-gasp Riccardo Sottil goal proved to be the difference, and Eusebio Di Francesco's side have now won five of their last eight games in all competitions.

However, last weekend's 2-2 draw at home to Spezia came as a blow to Cagliari, who only missed out on victory courtesy of a penalty in added-on time.

Although Di Francesco would have taken sitting five points clear of the relegation zone at this stage of the season, he will feel that his side have the quality to be challenging higher up the table.

Hellas Verona Serie A form: DDWDLW Hellas Verona form (all competitions): DWDLLW

Cagliari Serie A form: WWLWLD Cagliari form (all competitions): WLWLWD

Team News

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Darko Lazovic is back in contention for Verona after posting a negative coronavirus test earlier this week.

While the Serbian may have to wait for a recall to the first XI, Veloso is expected to come into midfield as a replacement for Ivan Ilic.

Cagliari boss Di Francesco is still having to work with a restricted squad due to a number of positive coronavirus tests.

Ragnar Klavan is also unavailable through injury, which could lead to a switch to a back three for this contest.

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup: Silvestri; Dawidowicz, Ceccherini, Lovato; Faraoni, Tameze, Veloso, Dimarco; Zaccagni, Barak; Carmine

Cagliari possible starting lineup: Cragno; Farago, Walukiewicz, Pisacane, Lykogiannis; Marin, Rog; Zappa, Pedro, Sottil; Pavoletti

We say: Hellas Verona 2-1 Cagliari

With these two clubs possessing contrasting records in defence and attack, anything could happen at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi‎. However, we are going to back the home side to come through in a tight game, inflicting a third defeat in five on the visitors.

Top betting tip