Prediction: Roma vs Sassuolo

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 11/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet

After contrasting midweek fortunes, Roma and Sassuolo meet on Saturday evening in the capital for a Serie A clash that could shape their respective ambitions.

The Giallorossi reignited their top-four push with a crucial win, while the Neroverdi were humbled at home by Juventus.

Roma

Two much-maligned forwards delivered for Roma on Wednesday, as Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk struck in either half to seal a 2-0 victory over Lecce. Gian Piero Gasperini praised his strikers post-match, relieved to see his side bounce back from defeat to Atalanta—a setback that continued a worrying trend.

Having briefly led the league earlier this season, Roma’s downturn saw them lose to Napoli, Cagliari, and Juventus, slipping out of the Champions League spots. Yet, optimism remains: their halfway tally of 36 points is 13 more than at this stage last term, and reinforcements are expected in January, with Joshua Zirkzee and Giacomo Raspadori reportedly on the radar.

Roma also boast recent success against Sassuolo, winning 1-0 in Reggio Emilia in October. Another victory would strengthen their grip on the top-four race and maintain momentum after their midweek triumph.

Team News

Dovbyk’s injury woes continued as he limped off after scoring in Lecce, ruling him out for Saturday. Ex-Sassuolo star Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined, while Bryan Cristante serves a suspension. Leon Bailey is back in training, and Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso return from bans, bolstering the defense.

Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka are still away at AFCON. Ferguson, fresh from his fourth goal in as many weeks, should lead the line, with Matias Soule likely to return after a midweek rest.

Sassuolo

The Neroverdi’s historic 4-3 win at the Olimpico in December 2023 ended a nine-game winless streak against Roma in the capital, but much has changed since. Relegated and then promoted as Serie B champions, Sassuolo began this campaign brightly before stalling in recent weeks.

Fabio Grosso’s men have collected just two points from their last four matches, suffering defeats to Torino and Juventus alongside draws with Parma and Bologna. Their 3-0 loss to Juve on Tuesday was particularly chastening, as two quickfire goals after the hour mark killed the contest.

Sassuolo sit 12th in the table, and their only win since the last international break remains a 3-1 success over Fiorentina.

Team News

Woyo Coulibaly is away at AFCON, while injuries sideline Domenico Berardi, Yeferson Paz, Daniel Boloca, Filippo Romagna, and ex-Roma forward Cristian Volpato.

Andrea Pinamonti leads the attack and boasts five Serie A goals against Roma—a record he will hope to extend.

Head-to-Head

Roma have dominated this fixture historically, winning 11 of 21 meetings, though Sassuolo’s dramatic 2023 triumph at the Olimpico proves they can upset the odds. The hosts, however, have won the last two encounters and remain strong favorites on home soil.

Conclusion

Sassuolo’s respectable away record contrasts with their defensive frailties—no clean sheets in eight games.

Roma, boasting one of Serie A’s best backlines and renewed attacking confidence, should keep the visitors at bay and strike at least once to claim another vital win.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 11/20

Bookmaker: ZetBet