Hellas Veronavs.Udinese

While Hellas fought back to earn a precious point earlier this week, Udinese's most recent match was abandoned, leaving them with one game in hand on their relegation rivals.

Match preview

After 18 minutes of Monday's visit to the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, it seemed that Verona were already destined for defeat, as they trailed by two goals and are not renowned for scoring many themselves.

However, shortly after the half-time break, Hellas struck back through captain Darko Lazovic, before Dutch striker Tijjani Noslin pulled them level against top-four contenders Atalanta BC - that ultimately proved enough to secure a 2-2 draw.

The Gialloblu are still in desperate need of points once again, having only managed to escape relegation via a playoff last year: Marco Baroni's men sit just above the drop zone, with any two of seven teams set to join Salernitana in being demoted to Serie B.

As well as improving their away form of late, Verona have scored in each of their last six home matches - their longest such run since Igor Tudor was in charge, just over two years ago - and they now return to the Bentegodi for a significant six-pointer.

Poised to host Fiorentina, Torino and Inter Milan in their subsequent home fixtures, Baroni's boys will be doubly keen to defeat opponents sitting inside the bottom half of the table - they are locked on 28 points with Udinese, having played one game more.

Saturday's visitors have that extra cushion in hand after last week's meeting with Roma was abandoned with the score tied at 1-1, as Evan Ndicka dropped to the turf and had to be stretchered off due to chest pain.

Both clubs agreed to stop proceedings deep into the second half, so the remainder of that game must be played before the end of the season - it was later announced that Ndicka had suffered a collapsed lung.

The Bianconeri were previously on course for a shock win over Inter until they slipped to a 2-1 defeat in stoppage time, and having pushed two top sides all the way, confidence may be returning to the camp.

Not only have Udinese have won two of their last four away matches - as many as in the previous 20 - but those wins came against Lazio and Juventus; meaning a trip to the Bentegodi should hold few fears.

Gabriele Cioffi's side may average the lowest share of the ball in Serie A this season (39%) but they have lost far fewer times than Verona, against whom they drew 3-3 in December's reverse fixture - one of several occasions they have failed to hold on for maximum points.

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

W

W

L

D

L

D

Udinese Serie A form:

L

D

W

L

D

L

Team News

While Verona boss Marco Baroni will have Suat Serdar back at his disposal this weekend, after the Germany international served a one-match ban against Atalanta, another first-choice midfielder may miss out due to injury.

It remains to be seen whether Ondrej Duda will be passed fit in time to join Serdar in the hosts' engine room, and Michael Folorunsho could play a deeper role if required to cover.

Only Juan Cruz is definitely unavailable, so Baroni should name a similar starting XI to that which lined up at the Gewiss Stadium on Monday.

Meanwhile, Udinese coach Gabriele Cioffi returns to his former club - having failed to make much of an impression during his brief stay in Verona last season - and is also set to keep any changes to a minimum.

Florian Thauvin and Sandi Lovric recently joined Keinan Davis, Enzo Ebosse and Gerard Deulofeu on the sidelines, but no new injury concerns have arisen since the Bianconeri's game against Roma.

Therefore, captain Roberto Pereyra should support top scorer Lorenzo Lucca up front, aiming to increase his tally of three Serie A goals versus Verona.

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Centonze, Magnani, Dawidowicz, Cabal; Silva, Serdar; Noslin, Folorunsho, Lazovic; Bonazzoli

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Kristensen, Bijol, Perez; Ehizibue, Payero, Walace, Samardzic, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca

We say: Hellas Verona 1-1 Udinese

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