Hellas Verona will take on Pisa in a crucial Serie A encounter at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Friday evening, with both teams desperate to escape the relegation zone.
The home team’s situation has gone from bad to worse after a heavy 4-0 defeat at Cagliari, played largely with ten men, and extended their miserable run to eight league matches without a win.
The sacking of the manager was immediate, with Paolo Zanetti paying the price as Verona remain anchored to the bottom of Serie A, now four points from safety.
Interim boss Paolo Sammarco has been tasked with stopping the slide and sparking a revival, knowing a reaction is vital if the club are to preserve their long-standing top-flight status.
There is slight encouragement in the fact that Verona have yet to suffer three consecutive league defeats this season, but recent home form offers little comfort, with six losses in their last seven matches at the Bentegodi.
Conversely, Pisa arrive in similarly turbulent circumstances after a 3-1 loss to Sassuolo brought an end to Alberto Gilardino’s tenure. They hover just above the foot of the table on goal difference alone, with a solitary Serie A victory all campaign underlining their struggles.
A 12-match winless run has dragged them deeper into trouble, leaving them four points adrift of safety, and a league-high number of draws has only compounded their frustration.
However, their tendency to share the spoils away from home, six draws in their last eight road trips, suggests they can be difficult to break down, even if results have consistently failed to go their way.
Read our Verona vs Pisa predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other Serie A predictions.
Contents
Verona vs Pisa prediction: Expect a full-time draw
Key statistics
- Gift Orban has scored seven goals for Verona this season.
- Their last three meetings have ended in a full-time draw.
- Both teams have played BTTS in at least three of their last five Serie A games.
Correct score prediction: Verona 1-1 Pisa
We expect a very tight and competitive affair between two sides that are struggling for confidence and points. We predict a 1-1 draw as the most likely outcome based on the recent form of both teams and their inability to kill off games.
The Gialloblu have seen their last three meetings with this opponent end in draws and given the high stakes of this relegation battle, we believe both managers will prioritise not losing over taking unnecessary risks.
While Verona has the home advantage, their poor defensive record suggests that Pisa will find opportunities to score. We believe the points will be shared in a match defined by tactical caution rather than attacking flair.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Verona narrowly favoured
- Home: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- Draw: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- Away: 23/10 (3.30) – 30.3%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.*
The betting markets give Verona a slight edge heading into this contest, with odds of 2.25 implying a 44.4% chance of a home victory. The draw is priced closely at 3.20, reflecting a 31.3% probability and underlining expectations of a tight, low-margin encounter.
Pisa are only marginally a weaker team at 3.30, which suggests a 30.3% chance of claiming all three points. Overall, the odds point towards a finely balanced matchup, with Verona holding only a slender advantage.
Most recent head-to-head: Stalemate in previous meetings
Meetings between these two teams have traditionally been defined by fine margins rather than clear superiority. Their recent history shows a fixture that rarely opens up, with both sides often cancelling each other out.
In the last three competitive encounters, draws have been the dominant outcome, while each team has managed to claim a single victory.
The most recent matchup in October 2025 ended scoreless, continuing a long-standing trend that also includes a 1-1 draw from their 2017 meeting in the second tier.
Overall, this pattern reflects a matchup where goals are scarce, momentum swings are limited, and breaking the deadlock has consistently proved a challenge for both sides.
Italy Serie A 18/10/25
Pisa
Verona
After reviewing our key Verona vs Pisa predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Verona preview: Selection headaches for Sammarco
Interim boss Paolo Sammarco faces a depleted squad, with Amin Sarr unavailable after his red card last weekend, ruling him out through suspension.
In addition, injuries will keep Tomas Suslov, Roberto Gagliardini, Rafik Belghali and Armel Bella-Kotchap on the sidelines, further limiting Verona’s options despite Bella-Kotchap recently completing a permanent move to the club.
Predicted lineup: Montipo (GK), Slotsager, Nelsson, Valentini, Lirola, Serdar, Lovric, Bernede, Frese, Mosquera & Orban
Last five fixtures
- 31.01.26 – Cagliari 4–0 Verona
- 26.01.26 – Verona 1–3 Udinese
- 19.01.26 – Cremonese 0–0 Verona
- 15.01.26 – Verona 2–3 Bologna
- 11.01.26 – Verona 0–1 Lazio
Pisa preview: Injury concerns but timely reinforcements
New head coach Hiljemark has plenty to juggle early in his tenure, with a lengthy injury list ruling out Raul Albiol, Juan Cuadrado, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural. There is also uncertainty between the posts, as first-choice goalkeeper Adrian Semper remains a doubt ahead of kick-off.
On a brighter note, the Nerazzurri regain Arturo Calabresi after his one-game suspension, while the arrival of Samuel Iling-Junior on loan marks a welcome boost out wide, with the English winger returning to Italian football after a previous stint at Bologna.
Predicted lineup: Scuffet (GK), Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov, Toure, Marin, Aebischer, Angori, Moreo, Tramoni & Meister
Last five fixtures
- 31.01.26 – Pisa 1–3 Sassuolo
- 23.01.26 – Inter 6–2 Pisa
- 16.01.26 – Pisa 1–1 Atalanta
- 10.01.26 – Udinese 2–2 Pisa
- 06.01.26 – Pisa 0–3 Como
Player to watch: Stefano Moreo
Stefano Moreo is the player to watch for the visitors as they look to exploit the home side's defensive vulnerabilities. The experienced forward has been the most consistent attacking threat for the Granata this season, contributing five goals and one assist in his recent appearances.
He has shown a great ability to find space in the box and his physical presence will be a significant test for the Verona centre-backs. We expect him to be central to any success the visitors find on the counter-attack during this crucial fixture.