AS Roma face Sassuolo at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side eye a return to the top four after a mixed period of form.
AS Roma vs Sassuolo – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 10th January.
- Kick-off: 5pm BST.
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
AS Roma team news
Roma face significant squad challenges heading into this fixture, with a number of absentees across key positions. Bryan Cristante will miss the clash after receiving a second yellow card in the victory over Lecce.
Evan Ndicka and Neil El Aynaoui continue their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, Leon Bailey is unavailable due to physical discomfort expected to keep him sidelined until mid-January, while Tommaso Baldanzi continues his recovery from a rectus femoris muscle injury and is targeting a return for the Sassuolo clash.
Lorenzo Pellegrini is also sidelined with a hamstring injury expected to sideline him until late January. Despite these challenges, Evan Ferguson has been a standout performer in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last six matches.
Sassuolo team news
Sassuolo remain without several key players as coach Fabio Grosso continues to manage a stretched squad. Woyo Coulibaly is absent due to international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Domenico Berardi remains sidelined with a thigh injury and is rated as doubtful, while Daniel Boloca, Edoardo Pieragnolo, and Filippo Romagna all have muscle or calf injuries and are doubtful. Additionally, Cristian Volpato continues his recovery from a thigh injury expected to sideline him until mid-January.
Form
AS Roma
Gasperini’s side bounced back from defeat to Atalanta with a convincing 2-0 victory away to struggling Lecce.
Evan Ferguson opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a clinical finish from the edge of the area, while substitute Artem Dovbyk doubled the advantage late on. Roma currently sit fifth in the Serie A standings with 36 points from 19 matches, equal on points with Juventus.
Sassuolo
Sassuolo have managed three draws in their last five Serie A encounters. The Neroverdi remain without a home victory in over a month, which has become an increasing concern. Following their 0-3 loss to Juventus this week, Sassuolo remain 11th in the standings with 23 points from 19 matches, and a goal difference of -2.
Predicted lineups
AS Roma: Svilar; Čelik, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Wesley, Koné, Pisilli, El Shaarawy; Dybala; Ferguson.
Sassuolo: Murić; Walukiewicz, Muharemović, Idzes, Doig; Kone, Matic; Fadera, Laurienté; Pinamonti, Thorstvedt
How to watch AS Roma vs Sassuolo?
Fans in the UK can watch the match on TNT Sports 3 and DAZN.
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