Hellas Verona vs. AS Rome: Preview and betting tips

AS Roma take on Hellas Verona in the 12th round of Serie A on Monday. The home side is fighting for salvation, while the visitors are close to the dream elite four. What to expect from the match and what to bet on?

Hellas have not yet recovered from the departure of mainstays Antonin Barak and Giovanni Simone. They are only penultimate in the table with only one win to their name, and are three points behind the non-relegation positions with a game to spare.

AS managed a Europa League match against Helsinki (2: 1) during the week, and are still in sixth place in the league. José Mourinho knows how to cope with a busy schedule, as he is only two points behind fourth place, which guarantees the Champions League.

On the home side, Scottish defender Josh Doig, author of two goals and one assist, is giving a sympathetic performance. The home side’s offensive leader, Frenchman Thomas Henry, has scored two goals so far.

Paulo Dybala is the big star for the visitors, the Juventus reinforcement has scored seven times and assisted twice. However, the Argentine international was injured in October and will be happy to catch the World Cup in Qatar.

In his absence, more will be expected from Tammy Abraham, last year’s main star of the team has only three goals and two assists so far from the striker position. Italy’s Lorenzo Pellegrini is the opposite, scoring two goals and providing seven assists.

Hellas has the second worst defensive record in the league, only last-placed Cremonese (22) have scored more times than him (21).

AS, on the other hand, maintains an average of under one goal per game, having only conceded ten so far. Only four teams in the league are better off.

Given the terrible form of the home defence, I think the visitors will confirm their role as favourites and win.