Monza have been involved in plenty of high scoring games in Serie A and Sassuolo are coming off a 3-2 win against Juventus. I am expecting an open and attacking match to end in a draw.
Key Stats
- Monza have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches.
- Monza have seen over 4.5 goals in 3 of their last 4 matches (Serie A).
- Monza are undefeated in 18 of their last 20 home matches.
- Sassuolo have seen BTTS in their last 5 matches.
- Sassuolo have seen over 3.5 goals in their last 2 matches.
- Sassuolo are undefeated in their last 4 matches.
HTH
Monza have won three straight matches against Sassuolo, leading 8-4 alongside three draws.
Tough Start for Monza
Monza are yet to win in Serie A, picking up only one point in four games. They have few problems scoring goals but defence has been a big problem, conceding 11 goals in that run.
The Coppa Italia has provided some respite, Dany Mota’s goal securing a 1-0 win at Torino to advance to the quarter-finals.
Ivan Jurić’s side have played their last two matches on the road, the first a 1-1 draw at Parma where they had 16-7 shots and 1.72-0.73 xG.
Lecce were unlucky again on Sunday, losing 3-2 at Lecce after ending with 61% possession, 11-3 shots on target and 2.47-1.07 xG.
Sassuolo Starting to Shine
Sassuolo are finding their feet under Alberto Aquilani, unbeaten in four games. They got past Forsinone on penalties in the Coppa Italia.
Aquilani’s side drew 2-2 at Bologna in their last road game. It was an entertaining clash where they took the lead twice, conceding the second goal in the 91st minute.
I Neroverdi are coming off an impressive 3-2 victory over Juventus. Pegged back twice in the closing stages, Vasilije Adzic’s 93rd minute goal settled it.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Monza (3-4-3) Demba Thiam; Eddy Kouadio, Lorenzo Lucchesi, Andrea Carboni; Samuele Birindelli, Michael Folorunsho, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Ricardo Mangas; Exequiel Zeballos, Gustavo Varela, Jay Robinson
Centre-back Jan Ziolkowski is out alongside midfielder Matteo Pessina who is dealing with a knee injury. Cyril Ngonge is close to a return.
Exequiel Zeballos could come into the side for Andrea Colpani and Patrick Cutrone is chance to replace Gustavo Varela up front.
Sassuolo (4-2-3-1) Arijanet Muric; Simone Cinquegrano, Duje Caleta-Car, Fedde Leysen, Josh Doig; Nemanja Matic, Luca Lipani; Domenico Berardi, Kristian Thorstvedt, Armand Laurienté; Sebastiano Esposito
Jay Idzes has a hamstring injury which should see Duje Caleta-Car partner Fedde Leysen in central defence. Full-back Edoardo Pieragnolo is close to returning from a cruciate ligament injury.
Sebastian Walukiewicz, Daniel Boloca and Cristian Volpato are nearing a return but star midfielder Ismaël Koné is out until January. Vasilije Adzic is pushing for a start ahead of Kristian Thorstvedt.