On Monday, Sassuolo will host Genoa in a crucial Serie A encounter at Mapei Stadium. The teams are at contrasting ends of the standings, with Sassuolo occupying mid-table while Genoa sits at the bottom.
Sassuolo vs Genoa: Match Preview
Currently, Sassuolo is 10 points ahead of Genoa, showcasing a significant gap in their performances this season. The home team recently secured a 2-1 victory against Cagliari, thanks to goals from Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente. This win came after Sassuolo had struggled to find the net in their previous two matches, which ended in a draw and a defeat.
Sassuolo, promoted from Serie B last season, presently ranks 10th after nine games. So far, they have managed four victories and only lost two out of their last ten home matches against Genoa. With four goals scored and four conceded at home, they are poised to capitalize on their stronger form heading into this match.
Genoa’s Struggles
In stark contrast, Genoa is enduring a difficult season, having recently dismissed coach Patrick Vieira following a dismal run of results. They remain winless in the league after nine matches, with their latest setback being a 2-0 defeat to Cremonese. With only three points gained thus far, they share the status of the league’s lowest-scoring team, netting just four goals.
The Grifone’s performance has suffered from defensive lapses, especially in the second half of games. They have dropped critical points late in matches and only won one of their last 15 away games. Caretaker coach Domenico Criscito faces a formidable challenge in reversing the team’s fortunes.
Team News
- Sassuolo: Star player Domenico Berardi may return from injury, while Filippo Romagna remains sidelined. Daniel Boloca, Laurs Skjellerup, and Edoardo Pieragnolo are also unavailable.
- Genoa: Interim coach Criscito is likely to have a full squad available, including Nicolae Stanciu, who is recovering from a thigh issue.
Key Players
For Sassuolo, Andrea Pinamonti has proven to be a key asset, having scored in his last two league games against Genoa. Armand Lauriente complements him in attack. In contrast, Genoa will look to AC Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo to shake off their scoring woes.
Predicted Lineups
| Sassuolo | Genoa |
|---|---|
| Muric | Leali |
| Walukiewicz | Norton-Cuffy |
| Idzes | Ostigard |
| Muharemovic | Vasquez |
| Doig | Martin |
| Vranckx | Frendrup |
| Matic | Masini |
| Kone | Ellertsson |
| Berardi | Malinovskyi |
| Pinamonti | Vitinha |
| Lauriente | Ekhator |
Match Forecast
Given Genoa’s lack of confidence and attacking threat, Sassuolo is favored to secure a victory. The predicted scoreline is 2-0 in favor of Sassuolo, as they aim for back-to-back wins in Serie A. The Neroverdi’s home advantage and current form put them in a strong position for this matchup against struggling Genoa.
