Fiorentina at the Mapei Stadium on Monday night in a contest between two of the most surprising sides in Serie A this season.
The Neroverdi are in search of a win in order to underline their credentials at the upper end of the table, with last week’s away defeat to Genoa interrupting their three match unbeaten run.
The Viola’s run of wins came crashing to a halt last week after they could only manage a 2-2 draw with Empoli.
Last season saw Sassuolo hold on for a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, and Fiorentina come out on top in a 3-1 win at Mapei Stadium. In that match, Mohamed Salah scored the opening goal before Khouma Babacar killed the game with an impressive double. The final goal was scored by Sassuolo starlet Domenico Berardi.
However, the Italian winger will not participate on Monday due to his three match ban. Eusebio Di Francesco will count on an attacking trio composed of Antonio Floro Flores, Gregoire Defrel and Nicola Sansone. In midfield, the only doubt will be the choice between Alfred Duncan and Davide Biondini.
For Fiorentina, Babacar will most probably sit on the bench to make way for forward Nikola Kalinic. The Croatian is in impressive form, after scoring a double against Empoli. He will be joined in attack by Josip Ilicic and Borja Valero, while Federico Bernardeschi and Marcos Alonso will be Sousa’s wingers. The only absentee among the Viola side will be Jakub Blaszczykowski who is set to miss out through injury.
Form Guide: Sassuolo (L-W-D-W-L) Fiorentina (L-W-W-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Consigli; Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso; Missiroli, Magnanelli, Duncan; Floro Flores, Defrel, Sansone.
Fiorentina (3-4-2-1): Tatarusanu; Roncaglia, Rodriguez, Astori; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Vecino, Alonso; Borja Valero, Ilicic, Kalinic.
