Bologna vs Sassuolo
Stadio Renato Dell’Ara, Bologna
Sunday, 18-10-2020 @2pm
Bologna have something to prove after an inconsistent start, as Sassuolo arrive on a high ahead of this historically unpredictable clash in Serie A on Sunday.
The Neroverdi are unbeaten in three games and arrive in Bologna after back-to-back 4-1 wins, against Spezia and Crotone.
But the guests, who could have Jeremie Boga back in the squad, must do without COVID-positive Jeremy Toljan and are facing a tricky opponent at the Renato Dall’Ara, where they won 2-1 in July.
Bologna, on the other hand, approach the game with only one win in three games, but it came at home turf and could be further spurred by the fact that Sassuolo have conceded at least one goal in their nine last away games.
But Bologna are struggling to keep a clean sheet too and are only two games from equalling worst record from the top five European Leagues, as MSV Duisburg conceded goals in 38 consecutive games in 1975.
Two of each… Bologna have won two of their six Serie A meetings at the Renato Dall’Ara, with two draws and Sassuolo getting away with the three points twice.
Spezia vs Fiorentina
Orogel Stadium, Cesena
Sunday, 18-10-2020 @4pm
Spezia are looking for their first home win as Fiorentina aim to bounce back from back-to-back defeats when they travel to the Stadio Alberto Picco.
Spezia started the season with a gruesome 4-1 defeat but quickly managed to get back on their feet against Udinese in the second round of fixtures.
A 3-0 loss to Milan at San Siro prior to the international break, leaves the newly promoted side at 15th in Serie A with three points from three games.
Fiorentina are in a similar situation but with a crueller downwards spiral in their form, as Beppe Iachini’s men followed a 1-0 win against Torino in the opening game with an inspiring performance against last season’s runners-up Inter.
Having lost 4-3 to the Nerazzurri, Sampdoria pushed through a 2-1 win at the Artemio Franchi and left the Viola with a poor return from the three first games.
Federico Chiesa moved to Juventus prior to joining the national camp and has left a big void in the squad. Franck Ribery, on the other hand, has started the season in the best possible way and captain German Pezzella should be back in defence.
Spezia are one win away from equalling Chievo’s (2001-02) and Reggina’s (1999-00) return, by picking up two victories in their four first Serie A games ever.
Torino vs Cagliari
Stadio Grande Torino, Torino
Sunday, 18-10-2020 @4pm
Both Torino and Cagliari are hoping to get their first win on the board after a slow start from two clubs aiming for a place in the top 10 this term.
Marco Giampaolo started the season with back-to-back defeats against Fiorentina and Atalanta, before having their trip to Genoa cancelled due to the many cases of coronavirus in the Grifoni squad.
The Granata host Cagliari in an important tie and will come up against one of their transfer targets Joao Pedro, who scored 18 goals in Serie A last term.
Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini joked he didn’t hope new coach Eusebio Di Francesco needed as much time as Giampaolo to start winning, as he was financially happy the return of Radja Nainggolan from Inter didn’t go through.
Diego Godin, the Rossoblu’s biggest signing, should be ready to start in defence again, with Riccardo Sottil and Nahitan Nandez expected to join Giovanni Simeone in the attacking trident behind Joao Pedro.
For the home side, Andrea Belotti should be looking to build on his two goals from two games in 2020-21, but returns from a difficult week with the Azzurri.
Cagliari won 4-2 when the two met in June, but the Granata had gone 10 games without a defeat against the Casteddu prior to the lockdown in March.
Last time Torino lost their three first games in Serie A, it ended with relegation in 2002-03, but they haven’t lost in six home games against Cagliari (3W, 3D).
Udinese vs Parma
Darcia Arena, Udine
Sunday, 18-10-2020 @7pm
Udinese host Parma in a game between two of the most struggling teams of the season so far.
The Ducali have won one of their first three Serie A games while Udinese lost all of them, including a 2-0 home defeat against newly promoted side Spezia.
New signings Ignacio Pussetto and Gerard Deulofeu are ready to make their debut with the Friulani this season but they are likely to start from the bench.
The Black-and-Whites have a long list of injury with the likes of Walace, Rolando Mandragora, Mato Jajalo, Jens Stryger Larsen, Juan Musso who are going to miss the game.
Wylan Cyprien is ready to make his first appearance for Parma in the middle of the park while Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, who arrived on loan from Juventus, should start from the bench.
The Gialloblu have registered four Covid-19 cases this week but failed to reveal the identity of the footballers. Mattia Sprocati, Maxime Busi, Andreas Cornelius, Valentin Mihalia are injured.
Parma have won their last three games against Udinese. Neither clubs has ever won four games in a row against the other in Serie A.
AS Roma vs Benevento
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday, 18-10-2020 @9:45pm
Roma want all the three points against Benevento but the ‘Streghe’ have had a great start to the season with six points in their first three Serie A games.
The Giallorossi are without Amadou Diawara who tested positive for Covid earlier this week and Chris Smalling who has suffered a mild strain at his left knee. Rick Karsdorp is also in doubt for the game while Javier Pastore and Nicolò Zaniolo are injured.
Edin Dzeko has yet to score his first goal of the season.
Iago Falque is expected to start for Benevento making his debut with his new team , the likes of Gabriele Moncini, Federico Barba and Andres Tello are out of action with muscle injuries while Nicolas Viola has a problem at his left knee and is also going to miss the game.
Roma have won each one of their last 23 games against newly promoted teams. Nobody has a better record in Serie A.
Monday’s fixture
-Hellas Verona vs Genoa @9:45pm
Saturday’s results
-Napoli 4-1 Torino
-Inter Milan 1-2 AC Milan
-Sampdoria 3-0 Lazio
-Crotone 1-1 Juventus
