Verona vs Como: Key Preview and Prediction Ahead of Crucial Serie A Clash

Match Details: May 18, 2025 | 21:45 | Verona, Marc'Antonio Bentegodi Stadium
Serie A, Round 37

Injuries: Abdu Harroui, Pavel Davidovich (?), Grigoris Kastanos (?), Cheikh Niasse (?) - Alberto Dosseana, Assan Dia, Sergi Roberto

Suspended: Tomas Suslov, Ondrej Duda (both Verona)

The penultimate round of the Italian Serie A season features a pivotal encounter between Verona and Como. The visitors have been one of the surprise packages across Europe this season. Under the young management of Cesc Fàbregas, who is already being linked with clubs like Bayer Leverkusen and Roma after his impressive debut top-flight campaign—and some even daring to mention Real Madrid—Como have made a strong mark. The newly promoted side has comfortably secured 10th place well before the season's end and cannot move up or down from this position now. Meanwhile, Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, have yet to guarantee their Serie A status for next season, making this upcoming fixture crucial for them.

Verona's Struggles and Survival Battle

Paolo Zanetti's side have gone seven matches without a win since their 1-0 away victory over Udinese on March 15. Since then, they've collected four draws and three defeats. Despite this downturn, their situation isn’t critical. Sitting 15th with 33 points, they hold a slim but comfortable cushion over 18th-placed Lecce and 19th-placed Empoli, both on 28 points. For Verona to be relegated, they’d need to lose their final two matches while Lecce or Empoli win both of theirs. Notably, Lecce must face a motivated Lazio, and Empoli’s next opponent is Verona itself, making the likelihood of Verona dropping into the relegation zone quite low.

Still, Verona fans are far from satisfied with how the season is ending. One win in the last ten games is underwhelming, and the team's offensive output has been sparse — just four goals in those ten matches. The last time Verona scored more than one goal in a game was back in late 2024 when they stunned Bologna 3-2 on the road. At home, the last multi-goal game was an impressive 3-2 victory against Roma earlier in November.

Interestingly, before this season, Verona and Como last met in the 2010/11 season in Serie C. This season’s first meeting ended in a 3-2 win for Fàbregas’ side.

Como’s Remarkable Rise Under Fàbregas

April was a golden month for Como, who won all four matches, earning Fàbregas the accolade of Italy’s Coach of the Month. They extended their winning streak by taking both matches in May, now on a six-game run of victories. For a smaller club like Como, this is an extraordinary achievement. It’s no surprise that Europe's top clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, and Roma, have shown interest in the promising young coach. Currently, it seems likely that Fàbregas might accept Bayer Leverkusen’s offer, though he hasn’t publicly confirmed or denied it.

Alternatively, there’s the possibility of Fàbregas staying at Como, especially since the club’s management is reportedly begging him to remain. They’re offering a salary raise, full control over transfers, and even vague promises of influence over club decisions. If he chooses to stay, that decision would be understandable, given his coaching career is just beginning. Top clubs won’t disappear, and continued progression is perhaps best achieved at a smaller club where he can implement and test his ideas.

Looking ahead to this match, Como has a chance to match Lazio’s Serie A record from 1972/73 of eight consecutive wins in a single season. Currently on six straight victories, they still face Verona and Inter Milan. Beating Inter will be tough unless the Milan giants have already lost their Scudetto hopes by then. However, winning in Verona is entirely possible—the home side have managed just one win in their last 12 home matches.

Probable Lineups for Verona vs Como

Verona will miss suspended Tomas Suslov and Ondrej Duda, and injured Abdu Harroui will also be absent. The availability of Pavel Davidovich, Grigoris Kastanos, and Cheikh Niasse remains uncertain. Como are likely to be without Alberto Dosseana, Assan Dia, and Sergi Roberto due to injuries.

Author’s Prediction: Favoring the Visitors Despite Little at Stake

Although Como have little to play for now, they enter this match as favorites. A straight win for the visitors is priced at 2.17, while a Verona victory sits at 3.55. The recommendation is to back Como to win (P2) and also to bet on Como scoring over 1.5 goals, which stands at 2.20.