Sassuolo are eighth in the Serie A table standings with 51 points nine more than their final opponents of this season Udinese who are currently ranked 14th. Sassuolo cannot get any further than they are in the league, but could drop to ninth if they lose on Sunday and Verona win at Genoa. Still, they are guaranteed a top ten finish, their first in four seasons.
Sassuolo ended a poor run of form with a 5-0 home win over relegation-threatened Genoa, their largest-margin win this season. Their opponents did play the last 51 minutes with only ten men after a sending off. Francesco Caputo scored twice for Sassuolo making it six in as many games and 21 for the season. They had gone four league games without a win before the win over Genoa. It was also their first home win in three matches with the goals scored boosting their position as the highest scoring team outside the top five. However, they have conceded 62 goals.
Visitors Udinese have had a tough season that has seen them spend 17 rounds among the bottom six teams. They are now safe from relegation and could climb up one position with a win, but a defeat could go see them drop a couple of places.Although they have only crossed into the relegation zone once, they have had to fight hard to avoid the trap door. Two wins from their last three matches have helped boost their survival bid.
Away games have, however, been difficult for Udinese with ten league defeats. The failures in their travels are linked to inadequate scoring with only 18 goals scored. Only Brescia and SPAL have scored less away league goals than Udinese. They have improved of late though with seven goals in the last four on the road. Three of their last four away league matches have been won, all with clean sheets. Udinese have a good record against Sassuolo with no losses in their last three against them. The reverse fixture this season ended in a 3-0 home win for Udinese. Only one of their last six away games against Sassuolo has been lost with two wins and three draws.
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Neither of the two teams in this match are under pressure to perform as Udinese are clear of relegation worries and Sassuolo cannot reach the European positions. This will, therefore, be a relaxed match by all standards, but we do expect goals, possibly by both teams and a total of over 2.5.