Preview: Sassuolo vs. Cagliari - prediction, team news, lineups

Running out of time to save their Serie A status, Sassuolo face a crucial six-pointer on Sunday, when they host relegation rivals Cagliari.

Both sides lost last week, leaving the Neroverdi three points adrift of safety and their Sardinian counterparts only one above the drop zone.

Match preview

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Just one week after stunning Serie A champions Inter Milan for the second time this season, Sassuolo came back down to earth with a bump last time out, as they once again let a lead slip through their grasp.

Only Inter, AC Milan, Atalanta and Lazio would have won more points based on the first half of games this term, but the Neroverdi have routinely proved unable to retain an advantage.

After Andrea Pinamonti put them ahead from the penalty spot against Genoa, they shipped two goals during the second half, leaving Liguria empty-handed and staring into the abyss of demotion to Serie B.

Davide Ballardini's side sit three points shy of safety, trailing Sunday's opponents by four, and their final game will be a tough test against Lazio in Rome.

First, Sassuolo simply have to win this weekend, or their fate may be sealed; while the Emilian club have never lost in eight previous top-flight home matches against Cagliari, they may still be scarred from this season's reverse fixture.

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When these sides last met, in December, goals in the 94th minute by Gianluca Lapadula and the 99th by Leonardo Pavoletti snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for Cagliari, who could now do the double over Sassuolo for the first time in Serie A.

While the Neroverdi have dropped the most points from winning positions this term, Claudio Ranieri's men have claimed 17 by coming from behind, so they may have a psychological edge on Sunday.

They did, however, fail to mount such a fightback against AC Milan last week, as the Sardinian side suffered a 5-1 thumping at San Siro, extending their winless streak to five games and keeping them deep in danger.

Just a point outside of the bottom three with two matches remaining, Cagliari could yet be sent straight back to Serie B, which they only left last year following promotion through the playoffs.

Beating Atalanta BC last month - then drawing with both Inter and Juventus - seemed to have them on the brink of safety, but losing again this week would potentially leave their fate in others' hands.

With just one win and eight points taken from away fixtures this season, while scoring a mere 12 goals in the process, the Rossoblu may not be relishing their trip to Reggio Emilia.

Team News

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In addition to the costly long-term absence of Sassuolo's star man Domenico Berardi, coach Davide Ballardini will again be without Samu Castillejo due to a knee injury.

With Berardi sidelined, top scorer Andrea Pinamonti and French forward Armand Lauriente - who has netted the Neroverdi's last three goals at the Mapei Stadium - will share the burden in attack. Gregoire Defrel could also be involved after recovering from a thigh strain.

Meanwhile, Cagliari have only two men missing for Sunday's early kickoff, as midfield duo Antoine Makoumbou (knee) and Jakub Jankto (ankle) have now been ruled out for the rest of this season.

Furthermore, Tommaso Augello and Gianluca Gaetano both return from suspension, giving Claudio Ranieri more options ahead of such a vital fixture.

The Rossoblu's coach must again choose from Gianluca Lapadula and Eldor Shomurodov to start up front, while Andrea Petagna and 'supersub' Leonardo Pavoletti are most likely to be involved from the bench.

Sassuolo possible starting lineup: Consigli; Erlic, Ferrari, Kumbulla; Toljan, Henrique, Boloca, Thorstvedt, Doig; Lauriente, Pinamonti

Cagliari possible starting lineup: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Nandez, Sulemana, Deiola; Gaetano, Luvumbo; Shomurodov

We say: Sassuolo 2-2 Cagliari

Sassuolo and Cagliari have drawn 10 of their 17 Serie A meetings to date, and the same result may be produced this weekend; the hosts cannot keep a lead intact, while their visitors struggle outside of Sardinia.

That outcome would leave both at the mercy of other teams in a tense survival scrap that will climax on the final day of the season.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.