Sassuolo are off to a great start this season. They are currently sitting in second place in the Serie A standings through the first three weeks of the year. Sassuolo are continuing to prove that they belong in the top tier of Italian soccer after first earning promotion six years ago, and their fans are hopeful they can qualify for European play for just the second time.
They face a tough test this week when they go on the road to face Juventus. Juventus are all alone in first place with a 3-0-0 record, and they are out to win their eighth straight Serie A title.
Don't miss the Italian Serie A action from Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy at 9 a.m. ET on Sunday, September 16, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on ESPN News.
Italian Serie A Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Sassuolo +1102
Juventus -454
Draw +535
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
Odds Analysis
Juventus have not looked as unbeatable as we thought they would after spending more than any other club in the world this offseason. The Turin-based club have won all three of their matches to this point, but it hasn’t always come easy.
In their first match, Juventus had to get an injury time goal from Federico Bernardeschi to take the full three points. They missed a slew of chances, while Chievo converted on their two real opportunities, and nearly ended up with a draw instead of a win. Juventus followed that up with a 2-0 home win over Lazio that wasn’t as impressive as you might think, and they weren’t at the top of their form in a 2-1 road win at Parma two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo have outperformed most expectations. The club scored a win over Inter Milan in their opener with the lone goal being a penalty from the foot of Domenico Berardi. They followed that up by incredibly salvaging a draw with Cagliari after Kevin-Prince Boateng slotted home a penalty kick in the ninth minute of extra time.
Two weeks ago, they played an incredibly entertaining game in a 5-3 win over Genoa. Sassuolo fell behind 1-0, but then they reeled off five goals in just 26 minutes of game action to take a 5-1 lead. Genoa scored two goals near the end to make the final score somewhat respectable, but the match was all Sassuolo.
Injury Report
Sassuolo may not have a number of players available for this match. Marlon Santos is still suspended due to a red card he picked up in the match with Cagliari, and Francesco Magnanelli, Jens Odgaard, Federico Peluso, and Giacomo Raspadori all have knocks.
As for Juventus, there is one player on the injury list. Leonardo Spinazzola is a long-term injury, and he is continuing to recover from a torn ACL.
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo has to be the player to highlight here. Ronaldo came to Juventus, and Italy, with great fanfare. His arrival was trumpeted as the start of a new age in Italian soccer, as Juventus acquired him to win the Champions League title that has eluded them this decade.
However, Ronaldo has yet to get on the scoresheet since coming to the peninsula. He has had some good opportunities, but he has not been able to convert. It looked like he was pressing somewhat in Juventus’ last game, and that is something of a worry. However, as long as he scores in the Champions League, all will be fine.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Juventus have such a talent edge on every other club, that it’s hard to pick them to lose. However, this one will be close. The Old Lady have yet to show they can come together as a team, and Ronaldo’s pressing could snuff out potential goal scoring chances. I’m expecting a one-goal game here.
Italian Serie A Odds: Juventus 2, Sassuolo 1
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