Sassuolo test mettle against Bologna

Week 12 Serie A fixtures will kick off this Friday, 8th November 2019, when 15th placed US Sassuolo Calcio host Bologna FC at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore.

This is the 12th meeting between both sides, with the Rossoblu having the upper hand winning 5 of their last 11 games against Sassuolo. The home team will be aiming to put one over their opponents as they go in search of their fourth win of the season.

The Neroverdi have been in indifferent form of late, winning one in their last five matches. Their home form makes for more miserable reading. They have lost their last three home league matches, conceding a whopping 10 goals in the process. Last week’s 2-2 draw against US Lecce was a decent away result, but there is more still to be done if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

Sassuolo striker Domenico Berardi has been a positive attacking outlet for the home team. His 7 goals have been invaluable in helping to prop them up in their current league position. However, all that effort will go to waste if Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi doesn’t address their failings in defence.

The side from Empoli has one of the poorest defenses in the current Serie A season, having let in 20 goals so far this league campaign. A much improved defensive performance will be expected when they file out against Bologna on Friday evening.

Bologna, who are currently in 13th place in the league are also coming into this match on an awful run. The away side’s poor record also matches that of their opponent, also winning only one game in their last five matches. The Greyhounds lost their previous two matches and will be hoping to avoid another defeat so as not to make it a hat-trick of losses.

Bologna Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will hope his players can halt their terrible run in the league, starting with a positive away result. Bologna’s last away victory in the league was back in September against Brescia Calcio.

Sassuolo is backed at 2.77 to secure the win against Bologna, Bologna are fancied at 2.61 to get an away win.

 
 
Written by: Ayotunde Omolayole