Sassuolo – Inter : Preview & Prediction
In a historic match in which for the first time a woman referee officiated a Serie A (SA) match, Sassuolo achieved one of the club’s biggest victories with a 5-0 thrashing of Salernitana. That result marked a second win in a row for the home side, halting a run of four consecutive games without a win (E3, P1) and reviving Alessio Dionisi’s side in the fight for the top six in the standings.
Impressively, no team has recorded more clean sheets than Sassuolo (five) in this league campaign, with three of those coming at home. That includes a clash with AC Milan, which the home fans will want to repeat against another Milan side, Inter Milan, especially since they are the team that has handed Sassuolo two of its three biggest defeats (both 7-0).
Although they entered their previous match as underdogs, Inter defeated Barcelona 1-0 in midweek to revive their Champions League campaign. Coach Simone Inzaghi said after that match that the result was an “amazing night that marks the start of something,” no doubt hinting that his team will improve on its poor league performance. It is also necessary, as they start this matchday level on points with Sassuolo and eight points behind the leaders after suffering three defeats in their last four SA (G1) matches.
All of those defeats saw the “Nerazzurri” let their guard down after opening the scoring, which will likely be a concern for Inzaghi. As will his team’s defensive performance on the road, having conceded three times in each of their last three away defeats. The Milan side are now in danger of losing four games in a row away from home for the first time since August 2016, a run that included a defeat at home to Sassuolo.
Players to watch: New Sassuolo signing Agustin Alvarez could be pushing for a starting spot after contributing a goal and an assist in the team’s last two wins. Inter’s Lautaro Martinez has contributed five goals (three goals and an assist) in his last three away games in SA against Sassuolo, all of which came in wins.
Key stat: The last four meetings between these teams have seen the first goal before the 25th minute.
Sassuolo – Inter : Betting Tips
Inter – Win Odds: 2.25
