Last time both clubs met, AC Milan picked up all three points against Sassuolo at the San Siro. Carlos Bacca gave the home side the lead through a penalty, but it was cancelled out from Domenico Berardi ten minutes into the second half. Luiz Adriano came on from the bench and scored the winning goal with few minutes left until full-time. 

Form

Sassuolo have been going through quite a tough run, drawn nearly half their games but have kept the list of defeats to only six. They have won their last two games in a row, against Lazio and Empoli, which hasn’t happened since the start of the season. Domenico Berardi is the top goalscorer for the club this season, managing 6 goals and 3 assists in 18 appearances. The 21 year old Italian will definitely be the key player to look out for alongside Gregoire Defrel who also has same goals as him this season.

AC Milan have been on fantastic form since the defeat to Bologna. They have won eight and drawn four since then and only conceded seven, clearly showing how well they have improved. The danger man to look out for in the Milan side has got to be Giacomo Bonaventura, the attacking midfielder has scored 6 goals and assisted on seven occasions in 24 appearances. The Italian has also won seven Man of the Match awards for the Rossoneri side this season.

Sassuolo are a team known for their goals coming from set pieces and having a solid line-up that can deal with players who can be a threat aerially. But like every team they all have their weaknesses, for Sassuolo this mainly comes down to not having a midfielder who can control the game and setting up tactically as an offensive side that could easily get caught on the counter.

Milan have become very strong when it comes to attacking set pieces and more or less really good finishing their chances too. But they lack the ability to hold on to the lead few times this season and have struggled a bit to get another goal to kill the game off and complete the game with a convincing win. 

Team News

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side will be expected to carry on playing in a 4-3-3 formation. Midfielder Karim Laribi won’t be expected to make it for the game, but will have his injury evaluated. Midfielder Simone Missirole is still carrying out his suspension for the club.

Sassuolo predicted line-up (4-3-3): Tips, Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso, Pellegrini, Magnanelli, Berardi, Defrel, Samson.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side might have one or two changes from the line-up that faced Torino on the weekend. Ignazio Abate picked up another yellow card in his last game, he will be suspended for this game. Milan will be without M’baye Niang, Philippe Mexes, Rodrgio Ely and Diego Lopez who are all still injured. There is a slight chance of Riccardo Montolivo making it through for the game.

AC Milan predicted line-up (4-4-2): Donnarumma, De Sciglio, Alex, Zapata, Antonelli, Honda, Kucka, Montolivo, Bonaventura, Bacca, Menez.

What to expect

Sassuolo haven’t been very convincing when it comes to going on a good run of wins, whilst Milan have been on an incredible run since the defeat to Bologna at home at the beginning of the year.

Milan should win this game confidently, they will be aiming to apply some pressure to the other teams above them in the league table.

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