Sassuolo – Bologna: An Emilia-Romagna derby with Europe knocking 
This Sunday afternoon the Mapei Stadium will roar for a local derby that smells like a scrap. Sandwiched between two decisive European legs, Bologna (8th) travels to face their fiery neighbors Sassuolo (9th). What’s at stake? Regional bragging rights, sure — but mainly a chance for the hosts to jump their rivals in the table.
Sassuolo riding high 
For the Neroverdi this season reads like a fairytale. Promoted last summer, Fabio Grosso’s men are flying well past expectations. Sitting comfy in mid-table (9th), they’ve shrugged off relegation nerves and play with no fear.
Even after a narrow late loss to Lazio on Monday, Sassuolo are humming at home: three wins in their last four league matches at the Mapei. The derby history isn’t stacked in their favor — just one win over Bologna since May 2022 — but the chance is ripe. A home win would shove their neighbors down a peg. Sweet.
Bologna’s head is elsewhere 
On the other side, Bologna have Europe on their minds. After grinding out a 1-1 draw with Roma on Thursday — even with a brilliant opener from Federico Bernardeschi — Vincenzo Italiano’s squad must snap back to domestic reality. In Serie A they’ve stuttered. Eleven defeats already (three more than all of last season) says it plainly: they can’t keep the pace.
This patchy form has fans scowling. Bologna shipped another loss last week to Hellas Verona, their fifth defeat in eight league games despite leading at one point. With a tricky return in Rome looming, Italiano is likely to rotate. That gamble could tip the balance.
Likely line-ups
Sassuolo : Muric ; Walukiewicz, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia ; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone ; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente
Bologna : Skorupski ; Zortea, Lucumi, Vitik, Lykogiannis ; Pobega, Freuler, Moro ; Orsolini, Dallinga, Rowe
Football Prediction Sassuolo vs Bologna
Under 2.5 goals
Bologna will have their mind on the Europa League and will almost certainly give some senior players a breather. Up against a Sassuolo side that’s dangerous at home and playing with nothing to lose, the visitors will probably sit in, defend deep and try to frustrate.
In a derby where rotation could kill Bologna’s attacking rhythm, this is a match that could lock up quickly. Expect a physical, scrappy fight — the kind of regional clash that rarely turns into a goalfest. A tight scoreline with fewer than three goals looks the likeliest outcome.
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