A clash that sounds like a story of promotion and relegation worries at the same time: On Monday, Sassuolo welcomes 16th-placed Pisa to the MAPEI Stadium in a clash between two promoted teams. Sassuolo is in a solid eighth place with 16 points and travels with the confidence of a clear 3-0 away win at Atalanta. Pisa is just nine points above the relegation zone, with four draws in a row, which show defensive stability but also reveal a lack of punch in attack.
Sassuolo has been particularly impressive defensively lately, keeping a clean sheet in Bergamo, and has a clear difference-maker in its ranks in Domenico Berardi. Pisa tends to play cautiously, which is reflected in its many draws. Last season, the two clubs met twice in Serie B, with the home team winning each time, once Pisa and once Sassuolo.
Pisa has to make changes to its lineup: Akinsanmiro is out with shoulder problems, and Cuadrado is struggling with thigh problems. Vural is expected to bring additional stability in midfield alongside Aebischer, while Calabresi could start in the back three. Moreo and Nzola are planned for the attack, where they will try to break down Sassuolo’s compact defense.
Sassuolo remains the slight favorite in the forecast due to its recent form, improved defense, and home advantage. Especially in such close matches, an attractive betting bonus for new customers can help to better manage the risk of the bet. A controlled game by the hosts with a lot of possession is to be expected, while Pisa is likely to rely on counterattacks and set pieces. A narrow home win or a 1-1 draw seem the most plausible scenarios. Tactically, Pisa will need to be more courageous on the wings to open up Sassuolo’s tight midfield, while Sassuolo should keep up the tempo and consistently create chances from their periods of possession.
- Venue: MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia
- Date and time: November 24, 2025, 8:45 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 12)
Both teams are currently showing defensive tendencies and have to cope with personnel losses that limit their creativity and offensive power. Pisa is unbeaten in five games and has recently recorded four draws in a row. Sassuolo has scored less than 1.5 goals in each of its last five games in the first half. The markets see Sassuolo as having a slight advantage, with the odds for a Sassuolo win at around 2.10 and a draw at around 3.20.
This gives rise to two obvious betting ideas: First, under 2.5 goals, supported by the high probability of a low-scoring game, Pisa’s 80% under 1.5 statistics, and Sassuolo’s half-time trend. Secondly, double chance Pisa or draw (X2), which is riskier but justifiable given Pisa’s stability away from home and Sassuolo’s inconsistent home performances.
It is important to note the absences: Sassuolo will be without Boloca and Volpato, among others, while Pisa will be without Akinsanmiro and Cuadrado. Overall, this results in a market value loss of around €17.8 million and reduces the creative momentum on both sides. Risks exist due to spontaneous fluctuations in form, late lineup decisions, or tactical adjustments. A staggered stake and responsible betting are therefore advisable.
Sassuolo Form & Record Check
Sassuolo is going through a mixed phase. With 16 points, Fabio Grosso’s team is in 8th place in the table, just one point ahead of Lazio in 9th and two points behind Como in 6th. The last five games have produced mixed results, with two wins, two defeats, and one draw.
The highlight of this run was the 3-0 win at Atalanta two weeks ago, with Domenico Berardi scoring twice, once from the penalty spot, and Pinamonti contributing the third goal. It is also striking that Sassuolo seem more stable after the break, with no defeats in the second half in their last five games. In contrast, they have rarely scored many goals before the break, with none of their last five games exceeding 1.5 goals in the first half.
Problems arise mainly in their own stadium. Defeats against Genoa (1-2) and Roma (0-1) at the MAPEI Stadium indicate a certain vulnerability in defense in front of their home crowd. The goal difference is balanced overall, but the lack of stability at home is hampering their ambitions in the promotion battle.
The personnel situation is tense: Boloca and Volpato are missing in midfield, Skjellerup in attack. In defense, Romagna and Pieragnolo are out for the long term, Pieragnolo until April 2026. As a result, the offense is heavily reliant on Berardi and Pinamonti, and the squad depth and rotation options appear limited.
In the short term, it makes sense to prioritize defensive compactness in home games, in particular to better secure the wings and set clearer pressing triggers. In addition, targeted rotations, a greater focus on set pieces in both directions, and slightly earlier, more variable pressing in the first half could help to get a quicker grip on the game. In the long term, a broader squad structure and the return of injured regulars would be crucial.
There is no specific formation text with players available for Sassuolo’s expected line-up in this section, only a general note on how such a text could be edited.
Pisa form & record check
Pisa is in 16th place with 9 points and is in the midst of a relegation battle, with one point separating the team from Lecce above and Parma below.
Their current form is mixed: four draws in a row after a 1-0 home win against Cremonese, unbeaten but with too few wins. This series of draws includes some respectable results, such as a 2-2 draw at Milan, a 0-0 draw against Lazio, another 2-2 draw at Torino, and a 0-0 draw against Verona.
Pisa are solid defensively. They have not lost in the second half in their last five games, and there have been few goals overall, with a maximum of 1.5 goals per half in four of their last five games.
Offensively, however, they lack punch. Pisa have gone into the break with a draw four times in their last five games and have never been in the lead. The goal difference is currently minus six, which reflects the problems in finishing and transition play.
There are some personnel issues: Akinsanmiro (shoulder) and Cuadrado (thigh) are out, and Stengs, Esteves, and Lusuardi are out long term. A 3-5-2 formation is expected, with Calabresi, Caracciolo, and Canestrelli in a back three, Vural alongside Aebischer in midfield, and Touré and Léris on the wings. Moreo and Nzola are expected to start up front.
Looking ahead, the pressure is mounting to finally get another win. The many draws provide a certain amount of security, but they don’t solve the relegation battle; in the end, it’s the three points that count.
Pisa are likely to line up in their usual 3-5-2 formation, with Semper in goal and Calabresi, Caracciolo, and Canestrelli in front of him. Vural and Aebischer are expected to pair up in central midfield, with Touré and Léris providing width and runs along the line on the wings.
In attack, the duo of Moreo and Nzola looks likely to start. Akinsanmiro and Cuadrado are out with injuries, while Lusuardi, Esteves, and Stengs are also unavailable for the long term, limiting the options in several areas of the team.
Sassuolo – Pisa Head-to-head comparison & statistics
Sassuolo and Pisa have only met twice in the recent past, both times in Serie B. Pisa won 3-1 at home in December 2024, while Sassuolo took revenge in March 2025 with a narrow 1-0 win at their own stadium. The record is therefore even, with one win each for both teams.
It is striking that the decisive goals in both games were scored in the first half, with the score remaining unchanged after the break. Sassuolo scored at least one goal in both games, while Pisa did not look consistently secure defensively.
Due to the small sample size, only limited reliable trends can be derived. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that home advantage has always played a role so far, with the hosts coming out on top in each case. Now this duel is coming to Serie A for the first time, and the higher level, possible tactical adjustments, and other personnel decisions could bring new dynamics. The pattern so far, with early decisions and a certain home advantage, provides some clues, but should not be overrated.
