Hellas Verona host Como at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on Sunday morning in a Serie A meeting that carries more weight than the table alone might suggest. With the season entering its final stretch, both sides are looking to shape the closing weeks with a stronger sense of direction.
The fixture also brings together two teams whose recent meetings have been competitive, but whose current form points in different directions. Verona need a lift after a difficult run, while Como arrive with a clearer attacking identity and a recent away win to build on.
Why it matters
For Hellas Verona, this is about halting a slide and restoring some control after a sequence that has been short on goals and margins. A home match against a side above them in confidence offers a chance to reset the mood and avoid letting the final weeks drift.
Como, meanwhile, are trying to turn encouraging performances into a more stable finish. Their draw with Napoli and win at Genoa suggest a team capable of competing in different game states, and another positive result would underline that their progress is not limited to isolated moments.
Form picture
Verona’s recent league form has been stubborn rather than convincing: a draw at Juventus was followed by a goalless home stalemate with Lecce, but the broader picture is one of narrow defeats and limited attacking output. They have struggled to turn matches into open contests, and that has left them vulnerable to fine margins.
Como’s form has been more varied, but also more encouraging in terms of performance level. The away win at Genoa stands out, while the draw with Napoli showed discipline and organisation against stronger opposition. Even in defeat, they have generally remained competitive and have not looked overawed.
The contrast is that Verona have been finding it hard to score and harder still to sustain pressure, whereas Como have shown they can manage games without losing their shape. That difference in recent rhythm gives the visitors a more settled feel heading into Round 36.
Key storyline
The main tactical question is whether Verona can force Como into a more direct, physical game. Verona have recently used a 3-5-1-1 shape, and that structure suggests an attempt to stay compact, protect central areas and look for moments through Tomas Suslov and Kieron Bowie.
Como’s 4-2-3-1 has looked more fluid, with Nico Paz and Martin Baturina helping them connect midfield to attack. If they can keep possession and move Verona’s back line laterally, they may be able to create the kind of openings that have been harder for the hosts to generate in recent weeks.
Team news
Verona are without Armel Bella-Kotchap because of a shoulder injury, which removes one of their defensive options and may force a more settled back three. The expected shape remains a 3-5-1-1, with Lorenzo Montipò behind Andrias Edmundsson, Martin Frese and Victor Nelsson.
That would leave Antoine Bernede, Domagoj Bradarić, Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Rafik Belghali and Roberto Gagliardini to provide the midfield platform, with Kieron Bowie and Tomas Suslov again likely to lead the attacking work. The emphasis is likely to be on structure first, with Verona needing more from their forward line than they have recently produced.
Como have a clearer issue in defence, with Jacobo Ramón suspended after a yellow card. Their predicted line-up suggests a change at centre-back, but the overall 4-2-3-1 shape should remain intact, with Jean Butez in goal and Diego Carlos, Ivan Smolcic, Álex Valle and a replacement defender forming the back line.
Ahead of them, Assane Diao, Lucas Da Cunha, Martin Baturina, Máximo Perrone, Nico Paz and Anastasios Douvikas give Como a balanced blend of running, control and final-third quality. That continuity in midfield and attack is a major advantage, even with one defensive absence.
[Tactical Battle]
The key area is likely to be Verona’s defensive block against Como’s central combinations. If Verona sit deep and narrow, Como will need patience and precision rather than early crosses or rushed shots.
Set pieces and second balls may also matter, especially if the game becomes tight and low-scoring. Verona will want to keep it scrappy, while Como will prefer a more controlled tempo that allows their midfielders to dictate where the match is played.
Tactical battle
The tactical picture is likely to be shaped by the latest available lineups: 3-5-1-1 for Hellas Verona and 4-2-3-1 for Como. The key area is how each side balances their expected shape against the opponent’s recent rhythm.
Recent meetings
The recent head-to-head record has favoured Como, who beat Verona 3-1 in October 2025 and 3-2 in September 2024, with a 1-1 draw in Verona in May 2025. That pattern suggests close games, but also a slight edge for Como in the decisive moments.
Reporter’s view
This feels like a match where Verona’s need is greater than their current attacking form can easily support. They have been difficult to break down at times, but their lack of goals means they may struggle to turn a solid defensive display into a win unless Suslov and Bowie can offer more threat.
Como look the more coherent side on recent evidence. Their shape, their midfield balance and their ability to compete away from home suggest they can control long spells, even if Verona make the game uncomfortable. If they settle early, they should have enough to avoid being dragged into a purely attritional contest.
Prediction
Como’s stronger recent form and clearer attacking structure give them the edge, with a narrow away win or a low-scoring draw the most likely outcome.
