The U-Power Stadium will host a crucial Serie A clash on Sunday as 16th-placed Monza welcome bottom-of-the-table Venezia in a match that could have significant implications for both sides’ seasons.
Monza enter this fixture with renewed confidence after securing their first Serie A victory of the 2024-25 campaign last Monday. The team put in an impressive performance to defeat Hellas Verona 3-0 away from home, with Dany Mota bagging a brace and Alessandro Bianco also finding the net. This result ended a seven-match winless run to start the season and lifted Monza out of the relegation zone.
In contrast, Venezia are struggling to find their footing since returning to the top flight. The side has lost six of its opening eight matches, including their last three in a row. Their sole victory came against fellow strugglers Genoa in September, and they currently sit rock bottom of the Serie A standings.
Dany Mota has been Monza’s standout performer in recent weeks. The Portuguese forward has netted four times in Serie A this season, including his brace against Verona last time out. His form will be crucial if Monza are to climb further away from danger.
For Venezia, Finnish striker Joel Pohjanpalo carries much of the goalscoring burden. He has accounted for two of Venezia’s meager tally of five league goals this season and will need to be at his clinical best if the visitors are to cause an upset.
The manager has gradually implemented his tactical vision at Monza since taking over in the summer. The team has shown resilience in earning draws against top sides like Inter Milan and Roma. Now, with their first win under their belts, they’ll be looking to control possession and create chances against a Venezia side low on confidence.
The Venezia coach faces a significant challenge in turning his team’s fortunes around. Their main issue has been a lack of firepower, having failed to score in half of their league matches so far. The experienced coach will need to find a way to unlock Monza’s defense while also shoring up his own backline.
This fixture marks only the second-ever Serie A meeting between these two sides. Their previous encounter came in the 2021-22 season when Monza secured a 2-1 home victory. However, both clubs have undergone significant changes since then, with new managers at the helm and reshuffled squads.
Team News
Monza will be without Daniel Maldini and Stefano Sensi until early November, while Papu Gomez continues to serve a two-year drug ban. There are also fitness doubts over Samuele Birindelli, Andrea Petagna, and Alessio Cragno.
Venezia have been missing Icelandic midfielder Bjarki Bjarkason since pre-season due to a thigh injury, but he is reportedly nearing a return to action.
Expected Starting XIs
Monza: Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Pessina, Bondo, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Caprari; Duric
Venezia: Stankovic; Candela, Svoboda, Idzes; Sagrado, Duncan, Caviglia, Zampano; Oristanio, Ellertsson; Pohjanpalo
Match Prediction
While Monza will be wary of complacency, their recent upturn in form should give them the edge in this encounter. Venezia’s struggles in front of goal are likely to continue against a Monza side growing in confidence.
The hosts should have too much quality for the struggling visitors, potentially extending their unbeaten run to three matches while keeping Venezia rooted to the foot of the table.
Prediction: Monza 2-0 Venezia
