Preview: Sassuolo vs. Spezia – prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides a preview of the upcoming Coppa Italia clash between Sassuolo and Spezia on Thursday. The article includes predictions, team news, and possible lineups.

Sassuolo will be looking to find some respite in the Coppa Italia after a winless streak of four league games. They will host Serie B strugglers Spezia at the Mapei Stadium.

The match will determine which team advances to the last-16 tie against Atalanta BC. Both Sassuolo and Spezia will be hoping for a successful start to November after a disappointing October.

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Match Preview

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Although Sassuolo secured back-to-back wins against Juventus and Inter, their recent form has seen them slide down the Serie A standings. They have only managed two points from their last four fixtures.

Following a draw with Lecce and home defeats to Monza and Lazio, Sassuolo faced a challenging Emilian derby against Bologna. They fell behind early in the match due to Joshua Zirkzee’s impressive goal. However, Daniel Boloca equalized just before halftime, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Sassuolo currently sits in 15th place after 10 rounds of action.

Head coach Alessio Dionisi understands that the team’s defensive issues need to be addressed if they want to achieve a top-half finish this season. They have conceded at least one goal in their last 18 league matches.

Before their match against Torino on Monday, Sassuolo returns to the Coppa Italia. Their campaign started with a thrilling 5-2 victory over Cosenza in August. After conceding a last-minute goal, they managed to score three times in extra time against 10-man opponents.

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Similar to Sassuolo, Spezia has never lifted Italy’s national cup. Their main goal for this season is to secure promotion back to Serie A after being relegated in the previous campaign.

Spezia has struggled to adapt to the second tier, with only one win in their first 10 games. They are closer to the relegation zone than the playoff places.

Having recorded only eight goals in the league, Spezia is feeling the impact of losing M’Bala Nzola and former captain Emmanuel Gyasi, who both secured summer moves to stay in the top flight.

Spezia will face Cremonese, the club managed by former Spezia coach Massimiliano Alvini, in their upcoming league match. However, they have the opportunity to relieve some pressure and focus on the cup football against Sassuolo.

Earlier this year, Spezia lost 5-2 to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia. A victory at the Mapei Stadium would give them the chance to face Atalanta again in the last 16, where they lost 1-0 on the way to being demoted back in March.

Sassuolo’s Coppa Italia form:

Sassuolo’s form (all competitions):

Spezia’s Coppa Italia form:

Spezia’s form (all competitions):

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Team News

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Sassuolo coach Alessio Dionisi will make some changes to his side as they have an important game against Torino. Key players like Domenico Berardi, who scored the winning penalty in their previous encounter with Spezia, will be given rest.

Fringe players such as Samuele Mulattieri, back-up goalkeeper Alessio Cragno, and Cristian Volpato, who is on loan from Roma, are expected to start.

Dionisi will still have to deal with the absence of Matheus Henrique (hamstring), Pedro Obiang (thigh), and Agustin Alvarez (ACL), but Mattia Viti has returned from injury and was on the bench in the last match.

Spezia’s main concern is Filippo Bandinelli, who trained separately due to a shoulder injury. However, Daniele Verde and Lukas Muhl are close to returning and may be available for the match.

Luca Moro, on loan from Sassuolo, is one of Spezia’s top scorers this season and will be looking to start against his parent club.

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Cragno; Pedersen, Viti, Erlic, Vina; Boloca, Racic; Defrel, Volpato, Castillejo; Mulattieri

Spezia possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Amian, Gelashvili, Serpe; Elia, Zurkowski, Esposito, Cassata, Reca; Antonucci, Moro

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Our Prediction: Sassuolo 2-0 Spezia

Given Spezia’s lack of threat in the final third, even a much-changed Sassuolo side should have no trouble advancing to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia. Several squad players will have an opportunity to perform well and make an impression on coach Alessio Dionisi. There are also interesting options on the bench for Sassuolo.

For a detailed data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines, and more for this match, please click here.

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