One of four Serie A sides entering matchday eight without a league win to their name this term, Hellas Verona look to change that against Cagliari.
Match News and Current Form
Verona are hoping to finally kick start their season after failing to win each of their opening seven league games (D4, L3), yet they somehow enter this round outside of the drop zone. Ominously for the hosts, the last two occasions they recorded four or fewer points after seven Serie A rounds (2015/16 and 2017/18), they went on to be relegated, so they have a huge historical omen working against them already this term. Improving on a league-low two goals would certainly help their quest to buck that historical trend, but getting that elusive first win at home could be tricky having won just one of their last 16 Serie A home games (D7, L8).
Cagliari are no strangers to flirting with relegation themselves, having finished 16th and 15th in the previous two campaigns, although they headed into this round with a five-point buffer to the drop zone despite being winless in three league games (D2, L1). Strong early form means that eight points after seven games represents Cagliari’s best start to a Serie A season since 2020/21, with half of that tally coming on the road (W1, D1, L1). The Sardinians will eventually cover the most distance of any Serie A side this season to get to their away games and travelling perhaps does weigh heavy for a side who’ve won only two of their last 13 top-flight road trips (D4, L7).
Head-to-Head History
Having won both Serie A H2Hs last season, Cagliari can equal their best-ever run of league wins against Verona set in 1971/72 with a third in succession here.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Verona have failed to score in a joint league-high five of their seven games so far.
Verona have conceded a pre-round joint-league high three goals in the opening 15 minutes.
Cagliari’s last eight Serie A wins have seen them score 2+ goals.
Cagliari have kept a joint league-low one clean sheet so far this season (14%).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Gift Orban remains Verona’s only scorer since he arrived on loan from the Bundesliga, with that penalty strike being the third of his last five club goals which served to level the scoring. Gennaro Borrelli has scored twice across his last four Cagliari appearances, and his last five strikes served to put his side into a lead.
Al Musrati is a continued absentee for Verona, while Cagliari are without a number of first teamers, including forward Andrea Belotti.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
With Verona struggling so badly, backing a Cagliari win against the odds in this fixture looks to be the smart bet.
Author: Matthew Billon