One of two teams yet to earn a point since promotion, Cremonese aim to get off the mark at the fifth attempt, as they host Sassuolo on Sunday.

While the Grigiorossi have struggled to adapt to life in Serie A, their visitors are long-established in the top flight and arrive at Stadio Giovanni Zini unbeaten in three games following a dogged draw with Milan.

Match preview

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With four points already on the board - and unbeaten since a 3-0 loss to Juventus on the opening day - Sassuolo welcomed Italy's reigning champions to the Mapei Stadium on Tuesday.

Alessio Dionisi's side would have taken the lead, had Domenico Berardi scored from the spot, but Mike Maignan saved the forward's first-half penalty and the game ultimately ended goalless.

Berardi limped off in tears during the second half, and there are concerns that Sassuolo's long-serving talisman may be missing for several weeks with a muscular injury - adding to the summer departures of his international teammates, Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca.

The Neroverdi may not have conceded a goal at home this season, but including a 3-2 defeat to Modena in the Coppa Italia last month, they have leaked eight in three games on the road so far. Winning only one of their last seven Serie A away fixtures is another cause of concern for Dionisi.

Nonetheless, as they prepare to meet Cremonese for the first time in the top flight, the Emilian outfit have previously come out on top in 11 of their last 14 matches against promoted sides.

Back in Serie A for the first time since 1996, but having lost their first three league games, Cremonese also tackled Milanese opponents in midweek - though less successfully than Sassuolo.

Already trailing by the 12th-minute at San Siro, they slumped to a 3-1 defeat against likely Scudetto contenders Inter; making the short trip home still pointless and second-bottom of the standings.

Head coach Massimiliano Alvini cannot complain about a lack of backing from his board, as the former Perugia boss has been busy in the transfer market over the summer, signing 18 players in total - including Nigeria strikers Cyriel Dessers and David Okereke, plus Ghanaian starlet Felix Afena-Gyan.

However, including Okereke's late consolation against Inter, Cremonese have scored just four goals so far and are ahead of last-placed Monza only on goal difference heading into the weekend.

Stretching back to their promotion-winning campaign in Serie B, the Grigiorossi have lost all but one of their last six outings on the road, so maximising home advantage could be crucial in determining their fate.

Team News

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Another pair of fresh faces will be available to aid Massimiliano Alvini's aim of earning a first point on Sunday, as Cremonese have added Scotland centre-back Jack Hendry - on a season-long loan from Club Bruges - to a growing Scottish presence in Serie A.

Felix Afena-Gyan, the teenage forward who burst on the scene with Roma last year, also switched to Lombardy this week, having scored twice in 22 appearances for his former club. He may play a role from the bench, with Cyriel Dessers and David Okereke continuing up front.

The hosts still have experienced defender Vlad Chiriches on the treatment table, but should otherwise be at full strength.

Despite fears of a longer-term absence, Alessio Dionisi has indicated that Domenico Berardi's muscular injury will not rule him out for a significant spell, but Sassuolo's chief creator is sidelined on Sunday.

With Berardi on the field, the Neroverdi average 1.4 points per game in Serie A; without him, that ratio drops to 0.9.

Hamed Traore remains unavailable, so the visitors' forward line will be makeshift again, as former full-back Giorgos Kyriakopoulos has already been pressed into service on the left wing. The latter should feature on that flank again, and Gregoire Defrel is set to join him in supporting Andrea Pinamonti up front.

Cremonese possible starting lineup:
Radu; Lochoshvili, Bianchetti, Vasquez; Ghiglione, Ascacibar, Pickel, Escalante, Valeri; Dessers, Okereke

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez, Thorstvedt; Defrel, Pinamonti, Kyriakopoulos

We say: Cremonese 2-2 Sassuolo

Both sides will sense an opportunity to add to their respective points tallies on Sunday, and are likely to take a more open approach than against the Milan giants in midweek. Cremonese can finally get on the board with a draw, as Sassuolo do not travel well and are missing key players.

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

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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