The Serie A surprise package are searching for their first home win in 2014, but this is probably not the right time to be facing revived Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri seem to have finally found some consistency and they will see this match as a very good opportunity to cement a top 5 position and possibly reignite their bid for Champions League places.

Bentegodi expects a win

With the team having secured Serie A survival with 11 games to go, Hellas Verona chiefs have every right to be delighted with the outcome of the current season, but while the Gialloblu remain close to Europa League positions, they don’t seem to have what it takes to catch the likes of Fiorentina and Inter. Andrea Mandorlini’s side have seen their performances drop a great deal since the winter break, with Verona winning just two of last nine league fixtures. And while they defeated relegation strugglers Sassuolo and Livorno on the road, the Gialloblu are still searching for the first home win in the New Year, having picked up just two points from last five league fixtures at Bentegodi. Chances are the hosts will be very motivated to end the barren run and finally give their fans something to cheer about, but matching very good Inter side at the time when they are on top of their game will be no easy task. And having lost five of last six matches against top 10 sides, Hellas Verona look destined for another defeat.

Bosko Jankovic and Alessandro Agostini have resumed full training, but Juan Gomez Taleb is a major doubt with a knee injury.

Inter continue to improve

Considering that this is a transitional period for the club, Inter have done well to keep their results respectable and have fared much better than arch rivals AC Milan, but there is obviously still room for improvement. The squad will suffer major changes in the summer, with Nemanja Vidic the first marquee signing, but first the Nerazzurri plan to make the most of the current season. The January signing of Hernanes has proved to be an excellent piece of business as the Brazilian has proved to be the missing link and with Fredy Guarin slowly returning to his best, Inter are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the creative department. The back line has also been showing a lot of promise, having conceded just two goals in last five, and it’s not as if Walter Mazzarri’s charges were up against weak sides during that period. Very good showings against Fiorentina, Roma and Torino can give Inter players plenty of reason for optimism ahead of the clash with out-of-form Hellas Verona, so I certainly would not be surprised if the Nerazzurri continue the good run on Saturday.

Walter Samuel is back in contention, but Ricky Alvarez and Hugo Campagnaro are injury doubts. Juan Jesus is banned.

Verdict

Hellas Verona have suffered a major dip in form in the New Year and their dismal record against Italy’s top sides is definitely a cause for concern. Meanwhile, Inter are raising their form week in week out and with all key players fit to play, the Nerazzurri look a good bet to win at Bentegodi.

Top pick: Away win   2.15 (23/20) @ Sportingbet

Alternative pick 1: Under 2.5 goals   1.90 (9/10) @ Stan James

Alternative pick 2: Inter to win to nil   4.00 (3/1) @ BetVictor