Are Verona this bad, are they improving? A look at performance data and recent games of both teams:
Udinese are 8th in the table with 28 points. The table is very divided, Napoli is the superb leader, the teams at positions from 2 to 7 are basically all equal, and then comes the bunch currently led by Udinese. Performance-wise Udinese position could be anything from 8th to 14th, they are not excellent, and as the recent results above show there is not much to show for their matches after the break.
Squad situation is rather bad as they miss two key figures, defensive midfielder Pereyra and striker Deulofeu who has created the most goal expectation of all Udinese players.
Verona are in the relegation zone, but do they really belong there?
They are 28th with miserable 12 points in the bag, and 6 points behind safety. Yet, looking at the xG-data it is easy to see that they have been the unluckiest team in Serie A this season, and they belong class-wise to the same group than Udinese! Naturally it is not only bad luck but also bad finishing and defending, but the performance data suggests that they have conceded 7-8 goals more than they should have, they have also underperformed in finishing by 6-7 goals and they should be in midtable and safe!
Recently
There are wins after the break, and also the performance away at Torino was a promising one and Verona should had won that.
Verona have strengthened their team in January with a few classy players, Adolfo Gaich and Onrej Duda but they are not available today, surely will have a good impact in the survival fight in the coming months. Defender Davidowitch is suspended, striker Henry is injured and midfielder Ilic is a doubt, as well as a few others, but as the teams are equal in strength but Verona have the form and motivation this is an easy pick for a X2.
1-1, Verona to score first!
Good luck
