Hellas Verona will play at Bentegodi for the 3rd time in a row: after the victories over Bologna and Ternana today the gialloblù will entertain
Arezzo, looking for other 3 pts.
Last season Verona hosted the newly promoted Arezzo in the 4th round. Hellas came from 3 consecutive defeats, while the team from Toscana after some very good performances already were called as one of the possible surprises. Verona won that game after a spectacular match (5-3) and started an impressive streak that took them from the releagation area to the play-off spots.
This season we have two very different teams: Verona are less entertaining and more effective; they've lost something in the front-line, but have a very solid defense (the second best in the league with 5 goals scored - 3 only in the match at Bergamo); Arezzo have lost something as well, but it looks they're more continue in their results. Also Arezzo are a lucky side: they often score in the very final minutes of the game and this fact allowed them to get at least 3 points more than they would have deserved (home win vs Crotone and home draw vs Cremonese). Now the final part of the games, from 85' till the end, is called "the Arezzo's time"
As I've already written Verona come from 2 consecutive wins, both at Bentegodi. Against Bologna they made a very good performance, fully deserving the full time score of 3-1. It has been a game very important not only for the result, but also for the self-confidence, since Verona struggled a lot in finding the net. Last week they got another win vs Ternana. Verona managed to take the lead only in the final part of the game, but they had some clear chances in both the halves so they could get rid of the defensive minded opponent (remember Ternana played withouth their regular forwards).
Arezzo come from the home draw to Pescara (2-2 FT), while in the previous round they've been defeated at home by Torino. Such results are pretty fair IMHO, as well as some other ones like the away win at Vicenza etc. They show Arezzo is an average side that only can aim to a quiet permanence in Serie B: they should not have relegation worries, but also can't compete for a place in next Serie A.
For the upcoming game Verona will miss the midfielder Gervasoni (2 matches ban), while the guests will have some injury worries having Raimondi, Lopez, Barbagli, Lauria and D’Anna surely unavailable and Lombardi doubtful.
I strongly believe Verona are closest to the 3rd victory in a row here. They have the home ground advantage (and I'd like to remeber at Bentegodi Hellas have a good record 3/2/0 5/1), they are in a good moment and the morale is high; they'll play an opponent with important absences, but I think they'll also have some further motivations:
After the match vs Ternana the sport judge has banned Gervasoni for two matches by using the TV proof. This news has come like a real surprise since Gervasoni's anti-sporting behaviour does not result from the tapes, that provided totally unclear images. Also Verona have been ordered to pay a sum of money due to the racist songs by the home crowd. Another unclear affair, since it is really evident the 'racist' supporters in the stadium were the usual smallest group of stupids, whereas the most part of the public at Bentegodi did not make anything of this kind.
Today Hellas will want to show on the play ground they are superior to these injustices and believe me, they won't fail
In conclusion home win for me @1,90 (Stanleybet - 1,95 would be perfect) with medium/high stakes. Once again I think I'll stake some units on Verona to keep a clean sheet (odds at around 2,20 should be ok).
KK_
Italy Serie A & B - 14-17/10/2005
.GIF "Thumb(1)")
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 1
Verona would have deserved all the prize: they pressed their opponents from the very beginning and made Arezzo's forwards totally unoffensive.. In the 2nd half after having equalised Hellas pushed for more, finally creating a clear chance with Adailton by the end..
sorry Rene. I aint laughing i just found you outburst funny. Aye they dont seem to be a team to trust from their results this season so far.
