Newly-promoted Sassuolo will be looking to continue their positive momentum since returning to Serie A when they host rock-bottom and winless Genoa, who enter this match searching for a new coach.
Match News and Current Form
A 2-1 win over Cagliari on Thursday lifted Sassuolo into the top half of the table, with the impressive Neroverdi now having lost just one of their last five matches (W3, D1). Only once across their previous five top-flight campaigns have they boasted more points at this stage than their current total of 13, with such a good start helping Fabio Grosso’s men establish a pre-round eight-point cushion over the drop zone. Results on home soil may appear inconsistent (W2, L2), yet both defeats came against the pre-round top two, while the wins came over sides who start the weekend in the bottom half.
Italy’s oldest football club have broken new ground this season for all the wrong reasons, with this Genoa’s worst-ever start to a new top-flight campaign (D3, L6). Another defeat against Cremonese in midweek placed huge pressure on boss Patrick Vieira, who received the dreaded vote of confidence from his board this week, but subsequently stepped down on Saturday. Club stalwart Domenico Criscito will take charge for this game and needs to halt a three-match losing streak on the road, but Genoa have at least been competitive, scoring in each of their last six away league matches since May (W1, D2, L3).
Head-to-Head History
Genoa won both H2Hs 2-1 in the 2023/24 Serie A season, yet the away victory therein was their only such success in seven trips to Sassuolo (D2, L4).
Win ProbabilityOpta by StatsPerform
Hot Stats and Streaks
Only four of Sassuolo’s last 13 matches saw both teams score.
Sassuolo are yet to concede beyond the hour mark at home in Serie A this season.
No team has scored fewer than Genoa’s two second-half goals this term.
Genoa have opened the scoring in three of their four Serie A away matches this term.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Sassuolo’s Armand Laurienté netted against Cagliari with the fourth of his last five goals to serve as the match opener. Caleb Ekuban’s last four Genoa goals have come on the road, with his side unbeaten when he finds the net at any venue (W7, D3).
Sassuolo captain Domenico Berardi missed their Thursday match against Cagliari, while Genoa appear to be at full strength.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
The visitors are fast starters despite their struggles, so we recommend betting on Genoa to lead at half-time.
