Genoa travel to the Mapei Stadium to face Sassuolo as they look to continue their excellent run of games and end the season on a high, despite the possibility of missing out on Europa League football looming.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side may not be able to compete in Europe next season due to their application for a UEFA licence being reject but it is pending an appeal, and for now at least they can be content with their position ahead of city rivals Sampdoria.
The Grifone currently sit in sixth place, four points ahead of Doria. Sassuolo have done what was required and surived another Serie A season, eager to end their own campaign on a positive note.
Both sides have been in impressive form, winning their last three matches, in both cases results have been achieved against tough opposition. However Genoa have looked the sharper scoring a total of 12 goals over the three matches.
The last meeting between these two sides resulted in a six-goal thriller, with the match ending in a draw. Domenico Berardi scored twice for the Neroverdi on the day, and as of now had 14 Serie A goals to his name. The 20 year-old has been in excellent form of late, scoring three goals against AC Milan.
Genoa will be buoyed by their recent 3-2 victory over Inter, where Juraj Kucka snatched a late winner for the Grifone to continue their end of the season charge up the Serie A table.
Last season saw each team win their home matches, with Genoa winning 2-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris while Sassuolo ran out 4-2 winners at the Mapei. There should be an assurance of action as the last three meetings have resulted in 14 goals.
Iago Flaque was on target in the reverse fixture this season and is currently top scorer for Genoa with 13 goals. The Grifone also have the Leoanrdo Pavoletti firing on all cylinders, the 26 year-old netted against Inter and has taken his own personally tally to five goals this campaign. Both Marco Borriello and M’Baye Niang are expected to miss the clash through injury.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s men have broken their own personal record in Serie A with three consecutive victories, however they haven’t been the most assured at the back, conceding four goals in their last three matches.
The Neroverdi are expected to be at their full-compliment, with Simone Zaza still looking to get into double figures this season.
Sansone completes the three-man attack but has struggled in recent matches, he personally has five goals this campaign. Questions marks over the fitness of former Genoa defender Sime Vrsaljko mean Fontanesi could be called into the starting line-up.
Sassuolo (L-L-D-W-W-W) , Genoa (W-W-L-W-W-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Sassuolo: Consigli; Fontanesi, Acerbi, Cannavaro, Peluso; Missiroli, Magnanelli, Taider; Berardi, Zaza, Sansone.
Genoa: Perin; Roncaglia, Burdisso, De Maio; Rincon, Kucka, Bertolacci, Edenilson; Iago, Pavoletti, Lestienne.
