Verdict: Sassuolo win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Hoping to extend their buffer in the top-half of the Serie A standings on Friday night, Sassuolo will welcome Verona to the Mapei Stadium.
Sassuolo
Starting with the hosts, while Sassuolo might have only made their Serie A return this season, Fabio Grosso’s side have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across Italy’s elite. Opening Friday’s showdown scrapping it out in the top-half of the table, the Neroverdi find the mood in their camp and they should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Last seen clinching an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at Udinese, Sassuolo have won three of their previous four Serie A appearances. Signing off January with a 3-1 win against Pisa, the former Lyon boss should also be excited by his side’s most recent showdown against Friday’s guests. Landing a 1-0 victory when they met Verona for their reverse Serie A battle on October 3rd, Grosso’s men are pencilled in as a standout contender this weekend.
Sassuolo Team News
Shown what was a costly first-half booking away at Udinese last week, Bosnia & Herzegovina International Tarik Muharemovic will miss out through suspension here. However, serving his own respective one-match ban last time out, former Manchester United ace Nemanja Matic could be handed a full recall.
Not featuring since the end of September, academy graduate Edoardo Pieragnolo remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Recording a first Serie A strike since the start of November last week, former Inter Milan youngster Andrea Pinamonti will spearhead Sassuolo’s attack.
Verona
As for the visitors, enduring what has been a public Serie A nightmare this season, Verona are almost universally regarded as a landslide relegation favourite in 2026. Sat rock-bottom of the table, interim boss Paolo Sammarco has an almighty job on his hands. Last seen slumping to a 2-1 loss against Parma, the Mastiffs will be bracing themselves for another stern examination this weekend. Signing off January with a woeful 4-0 drumming away at Cagliari, Friday’s guests have failed to win any of their previous 10 consecutive Serie A appearances (seven defeats, three draws) – a rut that stems back to December 14th. It should also be highlighted, Verona have registered just eight points from any of their 13 Serie A showdowns on the road so far this season and no team among Italy’s elite have recorded fewer points.
Verona Team News
Shown a red card in the opening 11 minutes against Parma last week, former Lyon striker Gift Orban will miss out through suspension here. Dealing with another injury setback this month, ex-Boca Juniors youngster Nicolas Valentini remains a doubt on Friday night.
However, returning a fortnight ago following a long-term ankle issue, Ivory Coast international Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro could make a first Serie A start since November. Completing a shock move from Scottish outfit Hibernian during the January transfer window, Scottish starlet Kieron Bowie should keep his spot in the final third.
Sassuolo vs Verona Key Factors to Consider
- When Sassuolo and Verona met for their reverse Serie A showdown back on October 3rd, Friday’s hosts secured a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi.
- Sassuolo have won three of their previous four Serie A appearances.
- Verona have failed to win any of their previous 10 consecutive Serie A appearances (seven defeats, three draws) – a rut that stems back to December 14th.
- Likewise, the Mastiffs have registered just eight points from any of their 13 Serie A showdowns on the road so far this season.
- Verona have recorded just 19 goals in their 25 Serie A appearances this year.
Conclusion
Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Udinese, Sassuolo are enjoying what has been an eye-catching Serie A flurry this season. Winning three of their previous four appearances across all competitions, Friday’s hosts will also be excited by their reverse showdown against Verona. Landing a 1-0 win when they travelled to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi back on October 3rd, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Sassuolo win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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