After breathing life in a topsy-turvy Scudetto race with a comfortable 2-0 victory away to reigning champions Inter last time out, Sassuolo will be looking to stay on the upwards trajectory. Standing in their way will be a high-flying Fiorentina side that have seemingly recovered from Dusan Vlahovic’s mega-money move to Juventus.
Indeed, La Viola have picked themselves up from their striker’s heartbreaking move to Turin, even though their first Serie A outing in the post-Vlahovic era yielded an underwhelming 3-0 home defeat to Lazio. Vincenzo Italiano’s men have since won back-to-back league matches, including a hard-earned 1-0 win over Atalanta last weekend.
And while Fiorentina seem to be firmly embroiled in the Serie A top-four run-in, Sassuolo played their part in making Inter’s life in the Scudetto race ever so complicated. The Neroverdi stunned Giuseppe Meazza last time out to end a run of four league fixtures without winning (D2, L2) as Domenico Berardi hailed his in-demand colleagues in the aftermath.
Another goal-friendly, action-packed game is now waiting in the wings.
Sassuolo Form Guide
As ever, the Mapei Stadium will draw plenty of attention despite Sassuolo languishing in mid-table lethargy. The Neroverdi may have struggled for consistency, but their recent Serie A home matches have been a treat for neutrals, with the last two in a row seeing 4+ goals and both teams scoring.
Moreover, as much as 69% of Sassuolo’s home league games this season have featured over 2.5 goals at full-time (9/13), which has been the case in four of their last five top-flight meetings with Fiorentina at Mapei.
Yet, cagey beginnings have somewhat highlighted their home performances so far, with Alessio Dionisi’s men heading into proceedings as one of just three Serie A sides yet to score within the opening 15 minutes of home league action this season.
Fiorentina Form Guide
Fiorentina’s 2-1 triumph away to Spezia in their most recent Serie A road trip halted their three-game winless league streak on hostile turf (D2, L1) as they now look to win two in a row on the road for the first time since September. Easier said than done, though, with just one clean sheet from 13 away league matches for La Viola this season.
At home vs on the road, Fiorentina are the epitome of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde this season. While they have netted a staggering 30 goals in just 12 Serie A games at Artemio Franchi, they have averaged just 1.07 goals per away league match so far. Indeed, they are one of three teams yet to hit the net inside the first 15 minutes of away league action this season.
But Fiorentina’s Serie A away fixtures often gain momentum in the later stages, as witnessed by the fact 54% of their league outings on the road have contained at least one goal beyond the 75-minute mark.
Sassuolo vs Fiorentina Prediction
Despite both sides’ sluggish openings, we predict this match to produce fireworks and at least a couple of goals, presumably one on both ends. While in terms of an outright winner, this clash could go either way, there is no doubt the Mapei crowd will witness another high-scoring contest.