Sassuolo vs Torino Prediction & Tips
Sassuolo’s humiliating campaign continued last weekend when they lost 4-2 to Bologna, their eighth defeat in ten official matches (G1, E1). That result leaves them just one point above the Serie A relegation zone before this matchday, so their 11-season stay in Italy’s top flight is starting to look increasingly precarious. They are still aiming to find a way to get good results without the injured Domenico Berardi, as Sassuolo have lost all six league games they played without him this season.
Coach Alessio Dionisi will be desperate to stop that streak and returning home represents good news for this team, considering they are coming off the back of three games on rival soil. This is mainly because their only win since December came against Fiorentina in their most recent home fixture, while the Stadio Mapei also provided the venue for the hosts to pick up four points in tough clashes against Juventus and Bologna, with the “Neroverdi” showing their ability to raise their game when hosting better-placed opponents in the table.
That will again be necessary against Torino, who still harbor aspirations of European places after a goalless draw against Salernitana last time out extended their unbeaten run to four games (G2, E2). A four-point gap to sixth-placed Bologna before this matchday is still achievable if they can improve effectiveness on the attacking front, as only the bottom two teams in the table have scored fewer league goals than Torino (20).
Away clashes this season have been very difficult for Ivan Jurić’s side in that regard, as they have failed to score in six of their last nine league games on opposition soil. However, a 2-1 win over Cagliari during their last visit raises hopes that they have finally answered those concerns, as this fixture gives them the chance to record a top-flight double over Sassuolo for the first time since the 2013/14 campaign after winning 2-1 in the first leg.
Players to watch: Armand Laurienté could look to give Sassuolo the lead early in the match, as their last three top-flight goals all came in the opening 20 minutes. There’s something about Sassuolo that brings out the best in Torino striker Duván Zapata, who records 13 goal contributions (nine goals, four assists) in 17 head-to-head meetings, though none in the four most recent games.
Key stat: Seven of the last nine meetings in this Serie A clash at Sassuolo’s stadium have been draws, including five by a 1-1 scoreline.
Sassuolo – Torino FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
