Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

The Mastiffs lost before the international break, while the Emilia-Romagna outfit claimed their first win of the season a fortnight back.

Match preview

Verona lost their 100% record before the two-week hiatus, losing 3-1 at Sassuolo in gameweek three after a perfect start.

Marco Baroni's men defeated Empoli and Roma in the opening two gameweeks, with the latter triumph against Jose Mourinho's men especially pleasing.

They welcome Bologna to the Bentegodi, looking to pick up their second home victory of the season, thus extending their unbeaten sequence in front of their fans to three games.

That unbeaten run began with a goalless encounter with Empoli at the backend of last season, and avoiding a loss will be gratifying for a side that find themselves in seventh, having ended last term in 18th.

Baroni's team needed a relegation playoff victory against Spezia to retain their Serie A status, so six points from nine in the new season is a welcome development.

As for Bologna, four points from their opening three games was a decent return before the hiatus for Thiago Motta's men, who defeated a newly-promoted Cagliari 2-1.

The Rossoblu have had a tough start, facing AC Milan and Juventus in the first two rounds, and picking up a point at the Allianz Stadium was commendable.

Motta's team could secure consecutive victories on Monday, and the fact Verona have not kept a clean sheet in the last 12 meetings between both clubs offers hope, even if Bologna have not won any of the last three competitive games.

Motta's men have a four-game undefeated away run — that started with a 1-1 draw against Sassuolo in early May — with two victories and as many draws giving the Rossoblu much-needed confidence.

While that points to an away victory, Bologna still have to prove they are the worthy side on Monday.

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

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Hellas Verona form (all competitions):

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Bologna Serie A form:

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D

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Bologna form (all competitions):

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Team News

Jayden Braaf is not anticipated to feature in round four's encounter, with the defender expected to return in late September.

Thomas Henry continues his rehabilitation from a severe ligament injury, while Jackson Tchatchoua's neck issue rules out the on-loan winger from making his Verona debut.

Bologna have to wait for Alexis Saelemaekers's debut since his temporary switch from Milan, while Musa Barrow's muscle problem means the forward is a doubt for Monday's game.

Adama Soumaoro is still in the wars with an ACL injury expected to keep him out until the New Year.

Remo Freuler completed a return to Italy's top division on deadline day from Nottingham Forest and could start for the away side.

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Dawidowicz, Hien, Magnani; Faraoni, Hongla, Duda, Doig; Mboulla, Lazovic; Ngonge

Bologna possible starting lineup:

Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Kristiansen; Moro, Freuler; Orsolini, Ferguson, Karlsson; Zirkzee

We say: Hellas Verona 1-2 Bologna

Despite sitting two places behind Verona, Motta's side — who have shown quality against top sides in Milan and Juventus — should back themselves to end their three-game winless run at the Bentegodi on Monday.

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