A thrilling final day of the Serie A season has led to a winner-take-all showdown at the bottom of the standings this weekend. For the first time since 2005, a relegation playoff will determine the third and final team heading into Serie B, as Spezia and Hellas Verona lock horns at Dacia Arena.
Serie A Relegation Playoff Preview
Ultimately, there was nothing separating Spezia and Hellas Verona after 38 matches this season, with both sides locked level on 31 points at the bottom of the standings. Courtesy of the identical head-to-head record, a first relegation playoff since 2005 will be required to determine the side that will be joining Cremonese and Sampdoria in the second tier next season.
Hellas Verona appeared on course to pick up the point that they required to secure their top-flight status with just over 15 minutes remaining against AC Milan, as Davide Faraoni equalised at the San Siro. However, that short-term advantage was short lived, as Milan scored twice in the final five minutes to secure a victory in their final home match of the 2022-23 season.
While Verona were chasing the game in the latter stages, Spezia were on course to secure their top-flight status as their fixture against Roma moved into added time. Spezia led against Jose Mourinho’s side after six minutes through Dimitris Nkolaou, before Roma equalised just before the break.
A point would have been enough to secure their status, and they appeared on course to achieve that as the match moved into extra time. However, they were denied the point that they craved after Paulo Dybala netted the winning goal in the 92nd minute at the Stadio Olimpico.
Spezia vs Hellas Verona Head to Head
Verona has an excellent overall record against Spezia in previous meetings over recent years, as they have won nine of the previous 15 encounters. Over the same period, Spezia has recorded three victories, with a further three matches ending in draws. Spezia won the first clash between the sides this season, before a 0-0 draw was played out in late March.
Spezia vs Hellas Verona Prediction
There will be heightened tension when Hellas Verona and Spezia lock horns in the relegation playoff this weekend, and it could be challenging to predict which way it will go. However, we will side with the visitors, based solely on their excellent advantage in the head-to-head record.
Make sure to bet on Spezia vs Hellas Verona with 22Bet!
Bet here
