Form and context

Juve Stabia host Verona on Wednesday evening at the Menti in the final match of Serie B's ninth round. The hosts come into the game off a strong away win at Cremonese and are described as being in excellent form, while Verona are still looking to find their rhythm this season.

Team news

• Juve Stabia: Coach De Giorgio is expected to change very little after the Cremonese win, with Karic given a chance from the start in midfield and Kumi heading for the bench. The probable XI is Vukovic; Maggioni, Bettella, Bellich, Douglas; Pierobon, Artioli, Karic; Maistro, Di Nardo, Sibilli.
• Verona: Suslov is out for around a month and a half with a medium-grade injury to the right biceps femoris, and De Battisti has a sprained left knee. Lella is also unavailable after his late red card against Pisa. Frese is expected to replace De Battisti at left back, with Harroui favoured over Kastanos in midfield and Livramento, Sarr and Mosquera up front. Reports put the number of absent Verona players at up to eleven, including Compagnon, Korac, Bega, Serdar, Bradaric, Bernede and Toniolo, with De Battisti and Cerbone possibly joining them.

What the numbers say

• Juve Stabia's last five in all competitions: a 1-0 win at Cremonese, a 3-0 win over Sudtirol, then three straight draws (1-1 at Virtus Entella, 1-1 with Cesena, 1-1 at Vicenza Virtus).
• Verona's last five in all competitions: a 1-1 draw with Pisa, a 2-2 draw with Catanzaro, a 3-2 loss at Modena, a 2-1 win over Vicenza Virtus and a 3-1 loss at Benevento.
• Verona average 1.9 goals scored and 1.6 conceded across their last 10 matches; Juve Stabia average 1.1 scored and 1.4 conceded.
• The model gives the draw and the away win 45% each, with a home win at 10%.

Our view

Juve Stabia are the side in better shape and should be close to full strength, while Verona travel with a long list of absentees and key men Suslov and De Battisti missing. Verona still carry more attacking threat on the averages, so a tight game looks likely.

Most likely outcome: draw - Juve Stabia's solid run meets a depleted but dangerous Verona side.