In a fixture that’s given us some entertaining matches over the last few seasons, Sassuolo host Roma in Serie A on Sunday. Both clubs crashed out of the Coppa Italia midweek and will be looking for a bounce back.
According to the latest soccer lines, Roma are the favorite to get all three points on the road. Perhaps it won’t be all that simple for Mourinho’s men as they tend to complicate things.
- Game: U.S. Sassuolo vs A.S. Roma
- Location: Mapei Stadium, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Date/Time: Sunday, 12 p.m. ET
Sassuolo vs Roma Betting Preview
Head to Head
Sassuolo have usually struggled against Roma and been a poor pick to bet online but that has changed over the last couple of seasons. In the last four meetings, each team has a win and two draws.
Most recently, Roma defeated Sassuolo 2-1 earlier this season at the Stadio Olimpico. Stephan El Shaarawy’s 90th-minute winner sealed it for the Giallorossi.
Sassuolo Put In Good Shift vs Juventus
Sassuolo suffered heartbreak in the dying embers of their Coppa Italia quarterfinals match at Juventus. After Hamed Traore brought Sassuolo back level on a stunning curled effort, new Juve arrival Dusan Vlahovic made them pay. His shot deflected off of a Sassuolo defender and found its way into the back of the net.
Despite the loss, it was a hard-fought match and a good performance following last weekend’s embarrassment. Sassuolo lost 4-0 to Sampdoria, who have been dreadful for the better part of the season.
It’s that inconsistency that makes Sassuolo one of the more volatile soccer picks in the Serie A. One thing consistent about the Neroverdi is that they’re incredibly likely to concede on any given matchday. Sassuolo have allowed a goal in 19 of their last 20 matches in all competitions and have conceded 1.75 goals per game in the league.
On the bright side, they do have quite a talented attacking unit with Domenico Berardi, Giacomo Raspadori, and Gianluca Scamacca. The trio have accounted for 26 of Sassuolo’s 39 Serie A goals and is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Destined to be a mid-table side this season, the Neroverdi are currently in twelfth place and have taken just five points from their last five matches. Curiously, they’ve won more points on the road than at home this season.
Mourinho Meltdown after Latest Roma Loss
Roma also lost in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia this week, falling 2-0 to an Inter Milan team wanting to forget about their derby loss. The loss inspired a colorful Jose Mourinho meltdown, to say the least. Sitting in seventh again this season, Roma are in danger of missing out on European football.
Also, the Giallorossi have been shut out in consecutive matches in all competitions and seem to be lacking a spark. Sergio Oliveira, on loan from FC Porto, scored in his first two Serie A matches for Roma but has gone quiet since.
Roma dished out a decent chunk of change for former Genoa striker Eldor Shomurodov over the Summer but he hasn’t been given much of an opportunity. On a per-minute basis, the Uzbekistan international has been Roma’s most productive player with 0.81 goals + assists per match. It’s a small sample size as he’s played just six full matches but he could get an opportunity with Nicolo Zaniolo suspended for this one.
Tammy Abraham, who was signed from Chelsea last Summer has by far been Roma’s biggest goal threat this season and has adapted well to Serie A. He has scored ten times in the league and is relied on by Mourinho.
Coming up against a leaky Sassuolo defense, expect Roma to create a lot of chances in this match.
Prediction
Interestingly, it’s been all or nothing for Roma on the road this season. They’ve failed to register a draw, with five wins and six losses. They’ve kept just two shutouts on the road this season, both against teams in the relegation zone.
I would expect both teams to get on the sportsbook in this match and wouldn’t at all be surprised if it’s a shootout. With both teams wildly inconsistent in terms of results, I’d go with over three goals for online sports betting.
