Como’s Champions League high comes with tired legs and a thin squad
Como had a memorable night on Wednesday, beating Manchester United 4-1 with two goals from Nico Paz. Saturday’s 3pm kick-off comes less than three days later, and it is their third game in a week after the 3-1 win at Fiorentina. Cesc Fàbregas admitted after the United game that he had only 15 players available. Sassuolo, by contrast, have not played since losing 4-2 at Frosinone eight days earlier, and they have scored in every Serie A match this season.
„Oggi solo 15 giocatori disponibili e dobbiamo adattarci.“ – Como coach Cesc Fàbregas after the win over Manchester United (“Only 15 players were available today and we have to adapt.”)
Predicted lineups: Como vs Sassuolo
Como’s injury list is growing. Jesús Rodríguez picked up an injury in training and faces around two months out, Trevoh Chalobah will miss about two weeks with a muscle problem, and Assane Diao is not due back until after the international break. Mattia Liberali has now been ruled out with a shin problem, while Fàbregas said Moise Kean could return on Saturday. Sassuolo are without Leysen and Koné, and Idzes is still sidelined, which leaves Aquilani short at the back. Goalkeeper Muric made costly errors at Frosinone, so Turati is an option. The line-ups follow Sky Sport Italia’s predictions.
Como Team News & Preview
Against United, Como scored after two minutes through Paz, and Douvikas, Paz again and Ramón added goals before Zirkzee replied in stoppage time. They dominated the ball and pressed well, which is exactly how they play in the league too: 61% possession on average and almost seven shots on target per game. Paz is their best-rated player by a distance.
The question is what is left. Como have played on Saturday, Wednesday and now Saturday again, with a squad already short of options. At home in the league they beat Parma 2-1 and drew 0-0 with Roma, and they have conceded seven goals in seven league games, so they are not watertight.
What works for or against Como
- Won 3-1 at Fiorentina and 4-1 against Manchester United in the last week.
- Almost seven shots on target per league game.
- Less than three days to recover from the United game.
- Regular starters Chalobah and Diao are out, along with Rodríguez and Liberali.
Sassuolo Team News & Preview
The 4-2 defeat at Frosinone was a defensive mess. Raimondo scored a hat-trick, Muric made mistakes, and Sassuolo were behind for most of the night despite goals from Domenico Berardi and Kristian Thorstvedt. It extended a long run without an away win, which Sassuolo News puts at ten games.
At the other end, Alberto Aquilani’s side always seem to find a way. They have scored in all seven Serie A games, beaten Juventus 3-2 and Torino 2-1 at home and drawn 1-1 with Milan. They average 1.7 goals and 6.4 shots on target per game, and every one of their league games has seen both teams score.
What works for or against Sassuolo
- Scored in all seven Serie A games.
- Eight days of rest before this match.
- Conceded 14 goals, two per game.
- Still waiting for an away win this season.
Como vs Sassuolo Odds
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Como Calcio Form, Stats & Data
Como dominate the ball and create plenty, but their expected goals against of 1.54 per game shows that opponents get chances against them too. With rotation forced on Fàbregas, that defensive exposure could grow.
Sassuolo Form, Stats & Data
Sassuolo’s attacking numbers are almost identical to Como’s: 1.7 expected goals and 6.4 shots on target per game. The problem is the back line, which has let in two goals a game.
Como vs Sassuolo: Prediction & Betting Tip
I expect goals at both ends. Sassuolo have scored in every league game, they create almost as much as Como, and they arrive fresh against a side that played a high-intensity Champions League game on Wednesday with a stretched squad. Como should still score against a Sassuolo defence that concedes two a game.
The strongest argument against is Como’s home defence: they kept Roma out in a 0-0, and Sassuolo have not won away this season. If Como control the ball the way they did against United, Sassuolo may not see enough of it. But fatigue usually shows in the later stages of a game, and that is when a rested opponent tends to find its chances.
My bet is Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.53 with Winz. I expect a 2-1 home win.