Preview: Sassuolo vs. AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

Sassuolo and AC Milan get round four of the Italian Serie A underway when they go head to head at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore on Tuesday.

The Rossoneri have kicked off their title defence on a solid note, picking up seven points from their opening three games, and will head into the midweek clash looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.

Match preview

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Sassuolo were denied their first set of consecutive wins since March as they were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Spezia when the sides met at the Stadio Alberto Picco on Saturday.

After falling behind to Davide Frattesi's 23rd-minute opener, Spezia struck twice in the final 15 minutes of the first half to take a one-goal lead into the second period before Inter Milan loanee Andrea Pinamonti grabbed a 50th-minute equaliser to force a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, I Neroverdi picked up a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Lecce on August 20 which saw their two-game losing streak come to an end — a run which saw them crash out of the Coppa Italia in the last 64 courtesy of a 3-2 loss against Modena on August 8.

Alessio Dionisi's side now return to their home turf where they are currently on a run of one win from their last four league outings, picking up one draw and losing twice while scoring three goals and shipping six.

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Meanwhile, AC Milan made it two wins from their opening two home games of the season as they eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bologna last Saturday.

Rafael Leao put on a show in front of the home fans as the Portugal international opened the scoring in the 21st minute before teeing up a sensational acrobatic goal for Oliver Giroud in the second half.

Prior to that, AC Milan kicked off their Serie A title defence with an emphatic 4-2 home victory over Udinese on August 13 before visiting the Gewiss Stadium where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta eight days later.

Stefano Pioli's men are now unbeaten in each of their last 19 league outings, picking up an impressive 13 wins and six draws since a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Spezia back in January.

The Rossoneri will fancy their chances of keeping this fine run alive and kicking as they take a trip to the Stadio Citta del Tricolore, where they are currently on a run of six consecutive victories dating back to a 2-0 loss back in March 2016.

Team News

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Sassuolo will have to make do with the absence of Turkish defender Mert Muldur, who came off with a sixth-minute injury against Juventus a fortnight ago.

He is joined on the club's injury table by Hamed Junior Traore, who is set to sit out his eighth consecutive game after picking up a muscle injury in May.

Twenty-five-year-old midfielder Fillipo Romagna will play no part in the midweek clash as he continues his long road to full fitness after sustaining a severe injury back in March.

As far as AC Milan are concerned, Pioli will be unable to call upon the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been sidelined since May through a knee problem.

Bosnia-Herzegovina international Rade Krunic was hooked off with a muscle injury late in the game against Udinese on August 13 and the 28-year-old midfielder is set to sit out his second consecutive game.

Leao opened his account for the season last weekend against Bologna and the 23-year-old forward should retain his role in the final third, teaming up with new signing Charles De Ketelaere and veteran forward Giroud.

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:

Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez, Henrique; Berardi, Pinamonti, Kyriakopoulos

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, De Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud

We say: Sassuolo 1-2 AC Milan

Milan have enjoyed a solid start to their title defence, claiming two wins and one draw from their opening three games. The Rossoneri are currently on a run of six straight away ways against Sassuolo and we are backing them to extend this dominant run on Tuesday.

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