Sassuolo vs Hellas Verona – News and Probable Lineups

Two clubs on contrasting paths will clash in Serie A’s Friday night encounter, as Sassuolo hosts struggling Hellas Verona.

While the Neroverdi have secured three wins from their last four matches to rise into the top half, Hellas has failed to achieve victory this season and remains at the bottom of the league table.

Match overview

Recovering promptly from a 5-0 defeat against league leaders Inter de Milão, Sassuolo also bounced back from an early setback to secure a victory over Udinese last weekend.

In the second half, two players from their dynamic front trio found the net, as Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente led the Emilian side to their first top-flight win in Udine.

With points equal to their opponents, Fabio Grosso’s squad now occupies the 10th position in the Serie A table, even exceeding his pre-season goals.

The reigning Serie B champions are firmly on track for survival, and another win on Friday could propel them to eighth place – at least temporarily.

Now, the Neroverdi aim to close out February by achieving a double over Verona, having won the earlier encounter at Stadio Bentegodi thanks to a goal from Pinamonti.

While Sassuolo is headed for a stable mid-table finish, Verona faces significant challenges, sitting at the bottom of Serie A with only 15 points from 25 matches.

The recent dismissal of Paolo Zanetti and the interim appointment of Paolo Sammarco have not produced the intended outcome, with a goalless draw against 19th-placed Pisa followed by a disappointing defeat in Parma last week.

Top scorer Gift Orban was controversially sent off for dissent within just 10 minutes, yet Hellas managed to pull even at 1-1 during stoppage time in the second half before conceding a late winner.

Thus, the Gialloblu have secured just one win and scored only eight goals across a dozen away matches, currently enduring a winless streak of 10 matches overall.

With nine points separating them from safety, their last victory took place back in December, presenting a tough challenge for Sammarco to effect change.

Team News

Tending to prefer stability in selection, Grosso made just one alteration last week, substituting Luca Lipani for the suspended Nemanja Matic in midfield – a similar approach is expected for Friday evening.

With Matic still out, Lipani may continue in his place, whereas highly regarded defender Tarik Muharemovic must now serve a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.

For this match, Sassuolo is anticipated to field a familiar attacking trio: Pinamonti and Domenico Berardi are both joint-top scorers for the Neroverdi with five Serie A goals, closely followed by Lauriente with four.

On the other hand, Verona’s leading scorer Orban has received a two-match suspension, so either Amin Sarr or Daniel Mosquera might partner Kieron Bowie up front.

Additionally, midfielder Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro is ruled out due to suspension after receiving yet another yellow card against Parma.

Moreover, Hellas is dealing with a lengthy injury list: Tomas Suslov, Antoine Bernede, Roberto Gagliardini, Sandi Lovric, Pol Lirola, and Nicolas Valentini are all unavailable, while wing-back Rafik Belghali continues to struggle with an ankle issue.

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Muric; Coulibaly, Walukiewicz, Idzes, Doig; Thorstvedt, Lipani, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente

Hellas Verona probable starting XI:

Montipo; Bella-Kotchap, Nelson, Edmundsson; Bradaric, Harroui, Al-Musrati, Niasse, Frese; Bowie, Sarr

While Sassuolo’s home performance has been somewhat underwhelming compared to their away form, they are expected to comfortably overcome visitors who seem destined for Serie B.

Verona faced misfortune last week, but their persistent lack of quality at both ends of the pitch remains an ongoing concern – Orban’s absence only exacerbates their situation.