Cagliari could leave the relegation zone in Serie A if they defeat Sassuolo in round 15's action at Sardegna Arena on Monday night.
Claudio Ranieri's team have lost two of their last three games, while the Neroverdi have picked up one victory in five league rounds.
Match preview
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You would forgive Ranieri for thinking the corner was turned after Cagliari's back-to-back wins against Frosinone and Genoa, even if recent losses against Juventus and Lazio have brought them back to earth.
In isolation, neither defeat suits long-term goals, but the club from Sardinia stood little chance against the title contenders and Maurizio Sarri's team, meaning they should not be too downbeat after those losses.
Losing in the capital last weekend ended Cagliari's six-game scoring run, an eventuality that possibly occurred because they were reduced to 10 men at the Olimpico.
Ranieri's side must stay disciplined to give themselves a chance against Sassuolo and hope their leaky backline is competent in Sardinia as they seek a return to winning after recent losses against league heavyweights.
They hold a six-game undefeated run over the Neroverdi in Serie A, with the last meeting between these teams in Serie A ending 1-0 to Cagliari in April 2022.
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As for Sassuolo, Monday's game represents an opportunity to end a four-year wait for Serie A success against the Sardinians — their previous triumph was a 3-0 win in January 2019.
The goals kept flowing for the Emilia-Romagna outfit last weekend, despite falling to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Roma after receiving a first-half sending-off.
Alessio Dionisi's men led until Daniel Boloca's 63rd-minute dismissal, and the final half-hour was all Roma, who turned the game around with two goals in the concluding 15 minutes.
That loss ended a two-game undefeated sequence that could have become three without the sending-off on the hour, and the Neroverdi hope to respond in Sardinia.
Sassuolo's knack for scoring on their travels — they have netted in five consecutive away games — has seen them record stunning victories at Inter Milan and a rip-roaring 4-3 success against Empoli; finding the back of the net means they always stand a chance against any opponent.
Team News
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Antoine Makoumbou received a straight red against Lazio, and the midfield man is suspended for Sassuolo's visit to Sardinia.
Ranieri is expected to be without Marko Rog, who misses Monday night's game because of a ligament injury.
Apart from Boloca, Sassuolo take to the field without Domenico Berardi, who picked up a fifth booking of the season against Roma.
Dionisi's men are not anticipated to have Mattia Viti (thigh), Pedro Obiang (hamstring) and Agustin Alvarez (ACL) for the round 15 meeting.
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Goldaniga, Dossena, Hatzidiakos; Nandez, Sulemana, Prati, Augello; Viola; Luvumbo, Petagna
Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Ruan, Erlic, Vina; Racic, Henrique; Castillejo, Thorstvedt, Lauriente; Pinamonti
We say: Cagliari 2-2 Sassuolo
Another high-scoring game between these two could be in the offing, with neither Cagliari nor Sassuolo landing a decisive blow in Sardinia.
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