Serie A: Upset-Hungry Verona Host Retooled Roma

Hellas Verona vs AS Roma

After much anticipation, Serie A is finally here. The mainstays are excited to get this thing started while the new kids on the block are ready to roll.

As a build-up before we kick off the 2020/21 season, we’ve already covered the latest Serie A 2020 updates in the ongoing transfer market. At the same time, we also featured the newly-promoted sides who are more than eager to prove that they belong.

Meanwhile, my SBOTOP colleague did a short primer about the games to watch out for in the first matchday. Which is why for today, we will dive deeper into one of the matches that he mentioned.

The fixture between Hellas Verona and AS Roma is expected to be a cracker, and it is said that it might produce the first upset of the season.

Hellas Verona did their homework in the offseason by bringing in some fresh faces, and the same can be said for AS Roma.

Both teams will look to have an auspicious start of the 2020/21 season with a victory, but it will be much easier said than done.

Who will win this weekend’s contest? Let’s examine both of these teams to learn more.

Talking Points

Can Hellas Verona continue to exceed expectations?

I Mastini exceeded expectations last season in their first campaign back in the top-flight, and they are hopeful to punch above their weight once more.

The Ivan Juric-coached squad finished at the ninth spot at the table. And for the most part, they were in the hunt for a Europa League qualification.

Hellas Verona were led by their top scorers in Samuel Di Carmine and Matteo Pessina, who have combined for 15 of their 47 goals last season.

Team boss Ivan Juric have been looking to add more quality to their midfield, and so far he has relied on youth to try and fill in the gaps.

Hellas Verona added former Manchester City midfielder Ivan Ilic, and the 19-year-old will aim to make an impact right away with the squad.

They’ve also added defender Mert Cetin and forward Matteo Cancellieri to fill in the gap left by Marash Kumbulla, who left for AS Roma coincidentally.

Ivan Juric’s side may spring some upsets this term and opposing teams would be foolish to take this team lightly.

Will AS Roma live up to their potential?

The Giallorossi, on the other hand, failed to meet expectations as they missed out on a top-four spot last term.

Which is why during the offseason, team manager Paulo Fonseca has been busy in packing his squad with quality and depth.

They were able to secure the services of former Atalanta defender Gianluca Mancini and former Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout in relatively cheap deals.

Meanwhile, they’ve added former Chelsea winger Pedro in a three-year contract, and he will provide attacking support for the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Edin Dzeko.

Serie A: AS Roma will face Hellas Verona away from home — Edin Dzeko looking dejected after their match against Sevilla in the Europa League Round of 16

However, they will miss the attacking exploits of the precocious Nicolo Zaniolo as he suffered a torn ACL during Italy’s 1-0 win over Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League last Tuesday.

Zaniolo sustained the injury once more when he was challenged by Manchester United-bound Donny van de Beek, and he is feared to be sidelined for most of the year.

History

Since Hellas Verona aren’t necessarily tenured in Serie A, matches between them and AS Roma have been few.

Looking at the sample size of 16 fixtures, this looks to be another win for AS Roma. The Giallorossi have won in 11 matches along with five draws.

Three of those draws came into a stretch between February 2015 to January 2016. All of them ended in a 1-1 tally.

Hellas Verona are still in search for their first victory over their visitors.

Betting Tip

	Hellas Verona vs AS Roma	AS Roma Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 1.81
	September 20, 02:45 (GMT+8)

The updated Serie A 2020 odds point for a narrow win by the visitors.

AS Roma are priced at 2.11, while Hellas Verona are priced at 3.30 and chances of a draw are at 3.45 in the 1X2 market.

These two teams have shown the capability of punching in goals. They were able to find the back of the net at least three times in their past two encounters.

Putting your money on Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.90 or Over 2.50 @ 2.12 is also a good place to start as well.

While Verona are more than capable of making life hell for Roma, the quality of the latter might overwhelm the former especially if their backline won’t hold up.

Overall, AS Roma look to have a much-deeper roster on paper and that might prove to be the difference come Sunday.