Inter vs Sassuolo

January 9, 2016
By: Milos Markovic

Roberto Mancini’s men look to record their second win in the new calendar year 2016 as they prepare to host Sassuolo on Sunday. The visitors have suffered only one loss in last eight Serie A games however, and should not be taken lightly.

Inter set the course for Scudetto

The Nerazzurri continue to push for the title and their Scudetto bid needs to be taken very seriously. Roberto Mancini has created the right balance within his new squad and the team has been playing somewhat above the expectations set for a transitional year. Spirits are high once again in the camp following the hard-fought midweek triumph at Empoli, which ended in trademark 1-0 result for Mancini’s side. The Italian tactician has been criticised for his defensive approach and Mancini did try to shuffle his tactics in three games before the winter break, but he returned to his old recipe for the trip to Empoli as the home loss against Lazio made him go back to his old ways. Instead of accommodating fans’ wishes, Roberto Mancini is concentrated on continuing the push for the title as his team still sits on top of the league, one point in front of Fiorentina and Napoli in second and third place, respectively. Nerazzurri have conceded only 11 goals in 18 Serie A matches. Inter’s Argentine captain Mauro Icardi has rediscovered his old scoring form, having netted four in the last three games and he will have to be guarded carefully by the opposition’s defences.

The host will have no injury problems to worry about for their game against Sassuolo and Roberto Mancini is expected to field the same line-up that earned him the win against Empoli. Felipe Melo is still serving his suspension.

Sassuolo pushing for Europe

Neroverdi have had an impressive campaign so far as they sit sixth in the standings, five points behind AS Roma, who are occupying the Europa League spot. Sassuolo’s current position is a huge improvement to last year’s 17th place at the end of the season and Eusebio Di Francesco’s men can be proud of their progress from league debutants in 2013 to European contenders this term. Sassuolo have been particularly impressive in defence so far shipping only 17 goals, but have struggled to find their pace upfront since Simone Zaza’s departure to Juventus. Domenico Berardi and Nicola Sansone have been missing the focal point in their attacking trident, but Neroverdi have scored only two goals less than their Sunday’s rivals. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have lost only two of their last ten Serie A matches and they will be looking to keep the positive run against Inter. However, their most recent result versus Mancini’s team was a 7-0 trashing and it gives little optimism ahead of the trip to the city of Milano.

Emanuele Terranova is the only injury headache for the visiting team. Lorenzo Pellegrini will miss out the game through suspension, but the visiting team have no other selection worries.

Verdict

Having in mind that Inter have scored 16 goals against Sassuolo in their last four meetings, Roberto Mancini’s team have to be considered favourites for the Sunday duel. Nerazzurri will be looking to finish their job quickly and a home win is on the cards.

Top pick: Half-time/full-time home win   2.62 (13/8) @BetVictor

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – No   2.00 (1) @PaddyPower

Atlernative pick 2: Icardi to score anytime   2.28 (23/18) @888sport

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