Key Facts
- Monza sits in 18th place with one point, while Sassuolo is in ninth place with seven points, showing a significantly better start to the season.
- Sassuolo has scored nine goals in its last five games but has conceded at least one goal in each of them, which is why the match remains wide open despite their recent 3-2 win over Juventus.
- Both teams have scored in each of their last five games, making “Both Teams to Score: Yes” a statistically sound betting strategy.
- A Sassuolo win remains a risky bet despite them being slight away favorites, because Monza has clearly dominated recent head-to-head matchups and Sassuolo is defensively weakened without Jay Idzes.
Match Preview
Sassuolo’s late 3–2 win over Juventus has given Alberto Aquilani’s team a noticeable boost ahead of Friday’s Serie A clash at Ivan Jurić’s Monza. Monza needs a response after its 2–3 loss in Lecce, where its well-known defensive problems were once again on full display. The hosts sit in 18th place with one point, while Sassuolo is ninth with seven points.
- Date and Time: September 18, 2026, 8:45 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 5)
The betting market sees Sassuolo as a slight away favorite, though the probability of a draw is high. A Sassuolo win remains a viable option because Monza lost its last two Serie A matches 2–3 each, while Sassuolo followed up its 2–2 draw in Bologna with a victory over Juventus. Both teams have scored in five consecutive matches, which supports “Both Teams to Score: Yes” and “Over 2.5 Goals.” Monza’s historical advantage in this matchup is the counterargument, while Sassuolo loses some defensive solidity without Jay Idzes. “Sassuolo to Win” is played with a half stake, “Both Teams to Score: Yes” with a full stake, and “Over 2.5 Goals” with a half stake.
Monza Form & Record Check
Monza’s 2-3 loss in Lecce once again showcased a team that can fight back but is repeatedly punished for conceding early goals. Ricardo Mangas scored before halftime, and Exequiel Zeballos added a late goal, confirming that Jurić has offensive firepower. Nevertheless, Monza remains winless in the league. In five competitive matches, Monza has scored in every game and conceded goals in four of them. That suggests they’ll find the back of the net, but at the same time, another high-scoring game is the more likely scenario.
Monza is expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Demba Thiam in goal behind Eddy Kouadio, Lorenzo Lucchesi, and Andrea Carboni. Michael Folorunsho and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro could form the central midfield, while Andrea Colpani and Jay Robinson support Gustavo Varela. Jan Ziolkowski, Matteo Pessina, and Patrick Ciurria are out and will therefore miss the projected starting lineup. Cyril Ngonge is questionable.
Sassuolo Form & Record Check
Sassuolo showed nerves of steel in their 3–2 win over Juventus. Vasilije Adžić decided the match in stoppage time after Kieron Bowie had also scored late. The victory was preceded by a 2-2 draw in Bologna; Aquilani’s team has thus scored five goals in two Serie A matches, a clear case for betting on goals. All five competitive matches have featured at least two goals, but Sassuolo has conceded at least one goal in every game. Given Monza’s offensive threat, an away win therefore remains risky.
Monza – Sassuolo Head-to-Head & Statistics
The record thus clearly favors the hosts.
