Hellas Verona will face Atalanta at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Saturday, February 8, 2025, as the two Serie A teams look to improve their positions this season.
Entering this match, Hellas Verona holds the 13th spot in the standings with 23 points after securing their recent victory against AC Monza. That win offered much-needed momentum for the Mastiffs, who had previously struggled with inconsistent performances, registering one win, two losses, and one draw over their last few outings. With their recent form, they’ll need to maintain their fighting spirit as they aim to pull themselves away from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Atalanta currently sits in 3rd place with 43 points, though they are feeling some pressure from behind. The Orobics have found themselves on shaky ground lately, having won just one of their last six Serie A matches. Their latest encounter resulted in a disappointing draw against Torino, leading to questions around their title aspirations. Atalanta is still very much in the race for the Scudetto but must begin to string together consistent performances to keep footing with the league leaders.
Kick-off for this intriguing matchup is set for 15:00 GMT+1, and both teams are aware of the stakes at play. Verona’s recent 1-0 victory against Monza has injected renewed confidence within the squad, but the Mastiffs are still saddled with injury concerns. Verona has lost key players, including midfielder Suat Serdar, who is sidelined with a thigh strain. Forward Casper Tengstedt is also doubtful for the match with ankle issues.
Atalanta, on the other hand, has its own share of injury woes. They will miss influential players like Ademola Lookman, who has been experiencing knee problems, as well as Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini, both ruled out for the remainder of the season. These absences could greatly impact coach Gian Piero Gasperini's strategic decisions heading onto the pitch.
Historically, Atalanta has performed well against Verona, securing six wins out of their last eight encounters and boasting 18 goals over those matches. This includes their most recent fixture, where Atalanta dominated with a 6-1 victory. Verona, on the other hand, has not yet recorded any goals during their last three home fixtures, heightening the urgency for them to make their mark.
The tactical choices from both managers may play pivotal roles on the day. Coach Paolo Zanetti of Verona is expected to deploy formations emphasizing wing play, relying on luck for chances through wingers like Lazović and Terracciano. Meanwhile, Atalanta will likely utilize their possession-based style with players like Marten de Roon dictacting play from the midfield, pushing for goals with their attacking outlets.
Despite their recent inconsistencies, analysts suggest Atalanta still enters the match as favorites. The betting odds reflect this position, with many tipping Atalanta for victory. Predictions show another challenging game for Verona, who need to bring their best form and capitalize on any potential scoring opportunities.
Pre-match predictions primarily lean toward Atalanta, with experts projecting them to secure another win, potentially clinching the match with close scorelines like 1-2 or 1-3, and both teams being tipped to find the net during open play.
What remains clear is the significance this match holds for both teams, with Verona needing points to solidify their place outside of relegation trouble, and Atalanta aiming to reclaim their assertiveness and challenge for the harrowing Scudetto once again.