Sassuolo vs Cagliari Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A

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We have a crucial six-pointer down at the bottom end of the table in Serie A with Sassuolo looking to chase down one of a number of teams, including Cagliari.

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: UK – 11:30 / US EST – 06:30 / US PST – 04:30

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK. / This match will not be televised in the UK.

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live via the TNT Sports app in the UK. / This match will be streamed live via Paramount+ in the US.

SASSUOLO PREVIEW: MUST WIN FOR THE HOSTS

For much of an underwhelming campaign and generally underwhelming stint in charge as manager of Sassuolo, Alessio Dionisi had his side languishing in the bottom-half of Serie A. He left them after just slipping into the bottom three and the relegation places but his successor, Davide Ballardini, has been unable to lift them out of the drop zone.

They begin the penultimate round of fixtures in Italy’s top-flight sitting three points adrift of safety and in desperate need of a victory this weekend in their final home game. They gave themselves some hope when they completed the double over champions Internazionale a couple of weeks ago but were then undone by a 2-1 loss at Genoa last weekend.

CAGLIARI PREVIEW: LOOKING TO SECURE SURVIVAL

Cagliari were surprisingly relegated from Serie A in 2022 but the Sardinians have managed to really steady themselves and been competitive throughout this campaign, following their promotion from Serie B via the playoffs last season. They head into the final couple of weeks of the season sitting outside of the bottom three and the relegation places.

Under the management of former Leicester City and Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, Cagliari begin this match day sitting just a point outside of the drop zone after a recent dip in form. Their 5-1 hammering at the hands of AC Milan at San Siro last weekend means they are now winless in their last five matches.

SASSUOLO TEAM NEWS: KEY ATTACKERS REMAIN OUT

Davide Ballardini is still struggling with key absentees in attacking areas. Talismanic winger Domenico Berardi remains unavailable alongside fellow forwards Gregoire Defrel and Samu Castillejo for this weekend.

PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Consigli; Erlic, Kumbulla, Ferrari; Toljan, Matheus Henrique, Obiang, Thorstvedt, Doig; Pinamonti, Lauriente

UNAVAILABLE: Berardi (Injured), Samu Castillejo (Injured), Defrel (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

CAGLIARI TEAM NEWS: JUST ONE ISSUE FOR CAGLIARI

Cagliari have just one injury issue for this weekend’s crucial six-pointer against Sassuolo this weekend as midfielder Antoine Makoumbou remains unavailable with a knee injury for their trip to Emilio-Romagna.

PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Scuffet; Nandez, Zappa, Yerry Mina, Dossena, Obert; Sulemana, Prati, Deiola; Shomurodov, Luvumbo

UNAVAILABLE: Makoumbou (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE:

SASSUOLO VS CAGLIARI PREDICTION

Sassuolo must win. A defeat for the hosts would all but relegate them ahead of the final day of the campaign. That will likely lead to quite a cagey and cautious performance from Ballardini’s men, unlikely to risk much early on. That sort of style will suit Claudio Ranieri and Cagliari as a point would most likely suit them, too, as they look to survive with a final day win at home. A low-scoring clash in which the game comes to life late on is to be expected.

SASSUOLO VS CAGLIARI TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS