Two sides seeking their first win of the Serie A season clash on Sunday, as Hellas Verona host Sampdoria at Stadio Bentegodi.
In midweek, both teams fought back to secure a point - with Samp's equaliser coming deep into stoppage time, at home to Lazio.
Match preview
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While Sampdoria were salvaging a late draw against likely top-four contenders on Wednesday, Verona had to settle for a point against more modest opponents, at Empoli's Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Behind at the interval, Hellas struck back midway through the second half, as substitute Yayah Kallon scored on his debut - turning home a cross from another summer signing, Josh Doig.
As a result, the Scaligeri have two points on the board so far, having lost twice in Serie A in addition to exiting the Coppa Italia at the start of last month.
All of which makes grim reading for new coach Gabriele Cioffi, who stepped into the breach following Igor Tudor's departure for Marseille. Now, the former Udinese boss needs a result to placate the Gialloblu faithful, who have witnessed three league and cup defeats already and seen their team ship ten goals in the process.
Verona endured a similarly sluggish start last season, leading to Tudor's appointment, but in each of the last six Serie A campaigns in which they failed to win any of their first four matches, they have ultimately been relegated.
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Not only are Sunday's hosts struggling to get going this season, but they have beaten Sampdoria only once in the clubs' last 13 top-flight meetings.
Since going down to a 2-0 defeat in October 2019, Samp have enjoyed four wins from five; they have also won three of their last six at the Bentegodi. However, they arrive in Verona this time in similar shape to their opponents, also having posted just two points in Serie A so far.
Following a late finish from Manolo Gabbiadini to snatch a point against Lazio in midweek, coach Marco Giampaolo has seen his side hold two top sides in recent weeks - Juventus were previously kept goalless at Marassi - but also thumped 4-0 by Salernitana.
That loss in Salerno was Samp's ninth from 11 away fixtures throughout 2022, and in eight of those outings they also failed to score - a problem which Giampaolo, with limited resources, has been unable to fix since his return to the dugout earlier this year.
With money tight in Genoa, the Blucerchiati board moved to bring in Harry Winks on loan from Tottenham Hotspur before the transfer window slid shut, but the England midfielder is perhaps not the answer to their failings in the final third.
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Team News
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Though they may once again be without the services of Roberto Piccoli due to injury, Verona could still make a change to their front line, after Yayah Kallon pushed his claims for inclusion with a goal against Empoli; Kevin Lasagna and Thomas Henry have been the established front pair this season.
Gabriele Cioffi also has another option in midfield this weekend, as the hosts signed Australia international Ajdin Hrustic from Eintracht Frankfurt before the transfer window closed, and he could feature as a second-half substitute.
Meanwhile, midweek hero Manolo Gabbiadini may be ready for his first Sampdoria start since returning from injury, and will vie with Francesco Caputo to replace veteran frontman Fabio Quagliarella up front for the visitors, who have scored just once in Serie A so far.
They have an almost clean bill of health heading into their second away game of the campaign, though Andrea Conti is still struggling with an injury and may miss out again.
Short of match practice, Harry Winks must wait before making his debut, which may come against Milan next week.
Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Montipo; Coppola, Coppola, Ceccherini; Faraoni, Tameze, Ilic, Veloso, Lazovic; Lasagna, Henry
Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Audero; Bereszynski, Ferrari, Colley, Augello; Vieira; Leris, Rincon, Villar, Sabiri; Caputo
We say: Hellas Verona 1-0 Sampdoria
Verona have lost each of their last four Serie A home games; in their top-flight history, they have never suffered five defeats in a row at the Bentegodi. They can avoid such a fate by earning their first win of the season at Samp's expense, as the safety-first visitors are short of confidence up front.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
