As Serie A returns from its winter break, bottom-half sides Sassuolo and Genoa make their return to action Thursday at the Mapei Stadium – Citta del Tricolore with kickoff at 6:30 pm.
Dionisi’s men ended the year with a three-nil defeat to Bologna, while Genoa managed to hold Atalanta BC to a draw.
Bologna came away from the Mapei Stadium with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo, with two first-half goals from Riccardo Orsolini and Aaron Hickey setting the tone for a confident attacking display.
Santander added a third in injury time to put the result beyond doubt, despite some second-half alterations from new manager Beppe Iachini.
After posting two wins in the last nine games, Sassuolo is 13th in the standings with 1.17 points per match average. They are eight points away from the top six, but 13 points above the relegation zone.
Former Milan and Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, who lit up Serie A with his goalscoring touch during his playing days, could not inspire Genoa to victory in their clash with Atalanta on Saturday. The two sides canceled each other out in a goalless draw.
Salernitana was Il Grifone’s sole opponent during the autumn and winter months, but they could only beat them in a narrow Coppa Italia game. The team has drawn three of their last five away games, though, and they are not strangers to sharing the points when playing away.
Sassuolo vs. Genoa Head to Head
Both sides have 17 games against each other, with hosts taking eight wins while opponents with five wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Sassuolo 0-3 Bologna
- Fiorentina 2-2 Sassuolo
- Sassuolo 2-1 Lazio
- Spezia 2-2 Sassuolo
- Sassuolo 2-2 Napoli
Away
- Genoa 0-0 Atalanta
- Lazio 3-1 Genoa
- Genoa 1-0 Salernitana
- Genoa 1-3 Sampdoria
- Juventus 2-0 Genoa
Sassuolo Team News
Sassuolo will be without two star players in Hamed Traore and Jeremie Boga, competing in the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. At the same time, Edoardo Goldaniga, reportedly on the verge of a move to Cagliari, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Genoa Team News
Genoa coach Vladimir Shevchenko is without three regulars for the visit of Bologna: center-back Domenico Criscito (COVID-19), skipper Stefano Sturaro and attacker Felipe Caicedo.
Through suspension, they will be without midfielder Abdoulaye Toure, so they should call upon youngster Nicolo Rovella to deputise.
Prediction and Odds
Sassuolo, whose players are more used to defeats than victories, will probably find it easier to win against a team whose outlook is more positive.
- Correct Score: 2-0
- Sassuolo Win
- No Score: Away
