Verona vs Cittadella Predictions

Who will secure the final spot in Serie A next season? The Serie B playoffs continue on Sunday, with the second leg of the final. Hellas Verona are aiming to return to the top flight after relegation last term, but they trail 2-0 after losing the first leg. They need to rally in this clash in order to make it back to the top tier. Verona are helped by the rules in the Serie B playoffs, as a 2-0 win for them here wouldn’t send the tie to extra-time or penalties, Verona would progress thanks to their higher league position.

Verona are still facing a tough test here, as they look to build on a mixed home record. They’ve won eight times at their own ground, with over half of their matches here finishing with Verona failing to win. They come into this clash having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 10 matches, so their chances of claiming the 2-0 they need seems remote.

Cittadella finished up in eighth place in Serie B, with Palermo’s points deduction lifting them into seventh. Since making the playoffs, Cittadella have stepped up a gear. They’re aiming to make it into the top flight, having never made it above the second tier in their almost 50-year history. It would be huge for the club to climb into Serie A, while they’re in pole position after their first-leg win added to a great streak of playoff form.

Cittadella have lost just once in their last eight games, which is a great way to warm up for this decisive clash. They are coming off some great playoff form, which has seen them win three of their last four. Their last two away trips saw them win 3-0 at Benevento who finished fourth and 2-1 at sixth-placed Spezia. Over the course of the season, they lost just five times in 18 away trips, which should mark them out to get the result they need in this second leg.

Verona can’t compare to that playoff record despite also making the final. They’ve won one of their four matches so far, while they’ve won only two of their last 13 matches at this level. Given that stretch of form and with Cittadella stepping it up on the road of late, we think the visitors can book their top-flight place. We’re backing Cittadella to avoid defeat on Sunday, while we’re tipping a 1-1 draw.