The Serie A season heads into its finale this weekend with two days of calcio. On Sunday, Sassuolo host Udinese at the Mapei Stadium with the chance to finish the season solidly.
The Neroverdi are eighth in Serie A having had a good season of football. The club go into the final day of the campaign on 51 points. Although Roberto De Zerbi’s team cannot finish above eighth place, they can drop as low as ninth.
Udinese, on the other hand, are 14th and seven points above the relegation zone. They have fought relegation for much of the season but head into the fixture safe for another season of Serie A football.
Although Sassuolo are the favourite going into Sunday, Udinese won the reverse fixture between these sides. Stefano Okaka Chuka scored in the 14th minute and the Zebrette held out until the 90th minute when Rodrigo De Paul added a second.
Udinese are unbeaten in three straight matches against Sassuolo in Serie A. Two of those three matches were draws, however.
The clubs are in similar form heading into the weekend. Sassuolo have taken eight points from their last 18 possible. They claimed a massive 5-0 win over Genoa in midweek.
Udinese have obtained seven points from their last 18 possible. Three of their last six games ended in losses. That include a 2-1 loss to relegation zone occupier Lecce in midweek.
De Zerbi’s side have been excellent at the Mapei Stadium in recent games. The Neroverdi are unbeaten in five of their last six games at home. Their only home loss in the last six games came against AC Milan, 2-1.
Udinese have been in good form over the course of their last four home away matches. The Zebrette tallied wins in three of those four fixtures.
Goals on the road have been difficult to come by for Udinese. They have scored just 18 times on their travels. It is the third fewest goals for an away team in Serie A.
Sassuolo have scored Serie A’s fourth most goals at home. The Neroverdi have been brilliant in front of goal at the Mapei Stadium but have conceded 32 times in defence.
Two of the last three games between Sassuolo and Udinese at the Mapei Stadium ended in clean sheets for the former. Sunday’s game will once again see Sassuolo keep a clean sheet. The Neroverdi will pick up a win to nil with under 2.5 goals scored.