Bologna vs Sassuolo Prediction & Betting Tips (28 December)

6th and virtually qualified for the play-offs of the Conference League, Bologna, participating in the league phase of the Europa League this season is obviously aiming higher in the championship, i.e. the top 5 in order to meet its objectives. Recently, the Rossoblu participated in the Italian Supercoppa, but were beaten in the final by Napoli 2-0, after taking out Inter Milan in the TAB semi-final.

In the league, Bologna has not won for 3 days, for a record of 2 defeats against Cremonese 1-3 and Juventus during the previous day 0-1 and a draw on the turf of Lazio 1-1. For its part, Sassuolo, back in the elite only one season after its relegation, intends to assert its ambitions to finish in the first half of the table and why not even, tickle the European folding seats. 10th at the start of this J17, Sassuolo is only four lengths behind its counterpart of the day, but has only won one of its last five meetings including two losses on the pitch of Como 2-0 and during the previous day for the reception of Torino 0-1. 

Excluded against Juventus, Senegalese international central defender Lysaker Heggem will serve his exclusion today. Absent due to injury for several weeks, Bonifazi, Casale and the Swiss Freuler will be missing while the Czech Martin Vitik and replacement goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski returned to the group during the Italian Supercoppa. Spending some time in MLS with FC Toronto, Federico Bernardeschi (ex-Juventus) returned to his roots but could remain in the infirmary, having missed the Supercoppa final against Napoli. Scorer against Inter in the semi-final of the Supercoppa, Riccardo Orsolini (6 goals in SA) will be operational like Castro (4 goals). For Fabio Grosso (coach), no less than 7 players could be missing due to physical problems. Starting with attackers Laurs Skjellerup (unimportant), Andrea Pinamonti (4 goals, 2 assists in the league this season) and Domenico Berardi (4 goals, 3 offerings), midfielders Daniel Boloca and Yeferson Paz as well as defenders Edoardo Pieragnolo and Romagna.

Suspended for accumulation of yellow cards against Torino, Norwegian international midfielder Kristian Thorsvedt (1 goal, 1 assist) will be back in the ranks unlike Woyo Coulibaly, summoned for the CAN with Mali (starter against Zambia). Author of 18 goals in SB last year and the main architect of Sassuolo's promotion, former Lorient player Armand Lauriente scored 3 goals and delivered 2 assists in the elite this season. The probable line-ups for Bologna - Sassuolo: Bologna: Ravaglia - Zortea, Vitik, Lucumi, Miranda - Ferguson, Moro - Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiagi - Castro.  Sassuolo: Muric - Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig - Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt - Volpato, Pinamonti, Lauriente.