Sassuolo host Cesena at the Stadio Mapei on Saturday evening with the home side looking to get back to winning ways, putting new Cesena coach Domenico Di Carlo under early pressure as he searches for his first points in his new job.
The home side lie in 12th position on 19 points after round 15 but lost last time with a last gasp Palermo goal in a 2-1 defeat against the Sicilians, which ended a fine run of form with that result been their first defeat in 11 games dating back to a 3-2 away loss to Lazio in early October.
The Cavallucci Marini meanwhile are on a shocking run of form losing eight of the last ten games, drawing the other two, and their luck didn’t change last weekend under new coach Di Carlo, losing 4-1 at home to Fiorentina. Their only win of the season so far came on the opening day of the season against Parma with that 1-0 win seeming like a lifetime away now for the Romagna outfit.
The Neroverdi have been impressive on home soil this term and have only lost one of their eight games at the Mapei all season, winning three and drawing the other four, and held champions Juventus to a 1-1 in mid-October.
Cesena’s away form is the worst in Serie A this term with them only picking up one point out of a possible 24 with a 0-0 draw away to Udinese in October, so Di Carlo has his work cut out to stem the tide of defeats.
The sides haven’t met in Serie A recently, but did meet in Serie B in the 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 seasons, as Eusebio Di Francesco’s men held the upper hand in those meetings, winning three of the four games, scoring ten and only conceding one goal in those clashes.
The home side head into the game with goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and defender Paolo Cannavaro due to serve a one game suspension. Domenico Berardi is expected to replace Antonio Floro Flores in attack.
Cesena are without defender Massimo Volta, who serves a one game suspension, whilst there are doubts over forward Gregoire Defrel and defender Horour Magnusson, with Hugo Almeida expected to lead the line on Saturday evening.
Expected Starting XIs
Sassuolo: Pomini, Vrsaljko, Terranova, Acerbi, Peluso, Taider, Magnanelli, Missiroli, Berardi, Zaza, Sansone
Cesena: Leali, Capelli, Lucchini, Magnusson, Nica, Giorgi, De Feudis, Cascione, Mazzotta, Defrel, Almeida
