Sassuolo vs Como Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview | 17 Apr 2026

Sassuolo welcome Como to the Mapei Stadium on Friday evening for a crucial Serie A clash that could have significant implications for the home side’s survival hopes. With just seven matches remaining in the 2025/26 season, every point is precious, and Sassuolo find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table, desperately needing a victory to keep their faint hopes of avoiding the drop alive. Como, meanwhile, have enjoyed a solid return to Italy’s top flight and sit comfortably in mid-table, playing with the freedom that comes from knowing their Serie A status is already secured for another campaign.

The contrast in moods between these two sides could not be starker. Sassuolo are battling for their lives, with manager Fabio Grosso under immense pressure to conjure a miraculous escape from a predicament that looks increasingly dire. Como, under the guidance of legendary midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, have exceeded expectations and can approach this fixture with confidence, having already beaten Sassuolo 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in November. The visitors will be looking to complete a league double over the Neroverdi and further cement their impressive first season back in the big time.

Predictions Summary

Team News

Sassuolo

Fabio Grosso has his work cut out trying to keep Sassuolo in Serie A, and the Italian manager will be hoping his key players can step up in this must-win encounter. The Neroverdi have struggled defensively all season, conceding 52 goals in 31 matches, the worst defensive record in the division. Goalkeeper Andrea Consigli has been between the sticks for much of the campaign but at 37 years old, his reflexes have been tested repeatedly by the relentless pressure opponents have applied.

In defence, Sassuolo have been plagued by inconsistency. The likes of Tarik Muharemović, Filippo Romagna, and Josh Doig have all featured prominently, but the backline has lacked cohesion and organisation. The recent return to fitness of some key defenders has provided Grosso with more options, but finding the right combination has proven difficult. The full-back positions have been particularly problematic, with neither the attacking threat nor defensive solidity required at this level.

The midfield is where Sassuolo possess their greatest quality. Kristian Thorstvedt has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season, contributing goals and energy from the middle of the park. Nemanja Matić brings experience and composure, while Daniel Boloca offers creativity and passing range. However, the team has struggled to control matches and protect the defence effectively, leaving gaps that opponents have exploited ruthlessly.

Up front, Andrea Pinamonti remains the primary goal threat. The former Inter Milan striker has shouldered much of the burden in attack, but he has lacked consistent support. Domenico Berardi’s injury woes have robbed Sassuolo of their most dangerous attacking weapon for large parts of the season, and his potential absence would be another significant blow. The likes of Armand Laurienté and Luca Moro have flashed moments of quality but have not delivered the goals needed to keep the team competitive.

Como

Cesc Fàbregas has worked wonders in his first season as Como manager, guiding the newly-promoted side to safety with room to spare. The Spaniard has implemented an attractive, possession-based style that has earned plaudits from across Italian football. Como’s success has been built on a solid defensive foundation combined with the quality and creativity of their midfield and attacking players.

In goal, Jean Butez has been a reliable presence, providing security that has allowed the defence to play with confidence. The backline, marshalled by the experienced Edoardo Goldaniga and the composed Marc Oliver Kempf, has been organised and disciplined. Full-backs Alberto Moreno and Mërgim Vojvoda offer width and attacking threat while maintaining their defensive responsibilities. This balance has been crucial to Como’s ability to compete with more established Serie A sides.

The midfield is where Como truly shine. The loan signing of Nico Paz from Real Madrid has been a masterstroke, with the young Argentine displaying vision, technique, and an eye for goal that belies his tender years. Maxence Caqueret provides the engine and defensive cover, while Lucas da Cunha offers creativity and link-up play. Martin Baturina and Sergi Roberto add further quality and experience to a midfield unit that can dominate possession and control the tempo of matches.

In attack, Como boast multiple threats. The January signing of Álvaro Morata has added a proven goalscorer to their ranks, while Anastasios Douvikas has continued to find the net with impressive regularity. Nicolas Kühn and Assane Diao provide pace and trickery from wide positions, creating chances and stretching opposition defences. This variety of attacking options has made Como difficult to defend against and explains their impressive goal tally this season.

Odds Comparison

The betting markets reflect Como’s superior standing this season, with the visitors priced as clear favourites despite playing away from home. Sassuolo’s desperate situation has not convinced bookmakers that they can turn their season around, and the odds suggest another difficult afternoon for the basement side.

Head-to-Head

These two sides have only met once in competitive action this season, with Como claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory on home soil back in late November. That match illustrated the gulf in class and confidence between the two teams, as Fàbregas’s side controlled proceedings from start to finish and never looked in danger of dropping points against a Sassuolo team that was already struggling to find its footing in the top flight.

The lack of historical head-to-head data between these teams is unsurprising given that Como have spent many years outside of Serie A. The reverse fixture stands as the only recent competitive meeting, and Como will be looking to make it two wins from two against their struggling opponents. Sassuolo, meanwhile, will be desperate for revenge and for the three points that could potentially breathe new life into their survival bid.

Recent Form

Sassuolo

Sassuolo’s form has been a major contributor to their current predicament, with the team struggling to string together consistent performances. Their recent results paint a picture of a side fighting against the tide, with occasional bright moments overshadowed by damaging defeats.

The Neroverdi’s most recent outing ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Genoa, a result that continued their poor run on the road. However, there was cause for optimism in their previous home match, where they secured a 2-1 victory over Cagliari. That win demonstrated that Sassuolo can still compete when everything clicks, but consistency has been their Achilles’ heel.

Before the Cagliari victory, Sassuolo had endured a torrid run of results, including a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to Internazionale that exposed the gulf in quality between themselves and the league’s elite. They also suffered defeats to Lazio and Bologna, with a draw against Juventus providing a rare point in a difficult period.

Home form has been particularly concerning for Grosso’s side. While they have managed victories over Hellas Verona and Atalanta at the Mapei Stadium, these have been too infrequent to build any real momentum. The team has struggled to impose itself on opponents in front of their own supporters, often appearing nervy and tentative when falling behind.

Como

Como’s form has been a revelation this season, with Fàbregas’s side playing with a freedom and confidence that has made them one of the most entertaining teams in Serie A. Their recent results demonstrate a team that has adapted well to the demands of top-flight football and is capable of competing with anyone on their day.

The Lariani’s most recent match was a thrilling 4-3 defeat at home to Internazionale, a game that showcased both their attacking quality and their occasional defensive vulnerabilities. Despite the loss, the performance was full of positives, with Como demonstrating that they can go toe-to-toe with the defending champions and create chances at will.

Prior to the Inter defeat, Como had been on an impressive run, including a goalless draw away to Udinese and a stunning 5-0 demolition of Pisa at home. The Pisa result in particular highlighted Como’s attacking prowess when everything clicks, with multiple players getting on the scoresheet in a dominant display.

Perhaps the most impressive result of Como’s season came in their 2-1 victory over Roma at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. That win demonstrated their ability to overcome high-quality opposition and suggested that Fàbregas’s project is progressing ahead of schedule. Victories over Cagliari, Lecce, and Juventus further underline the progress that has been made.

Away form has been solid if not spectacular for Como, with draws against Milan and Atalanta demonstrating their ability to frustrate and compete against stronger opposition on the road. They will fancy their chances of adding to Sassuolo’s woes given their superior form and confidence.

Tactical Analysis

Sassuolo’s Approach

Fabio Grosso has experimented with various formations throughout the season in an attempt to find a winning formula, but consistency has eluded him. Sassuolo have typically lined up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to control possession and build attacks through their technically gifted midfielders.

The problem for Sassuolo has been translating possession into clear-cut chances. Too often, their build-up play has been slow and predictable, allowing opponents to regroup and defend comfortably. The lack of pace in wide areas has meant that they have struggled to stretch defences, while the absence of a genuine creative spark has limited their ability to unlock stubborn backlines.

Defensively, Sassuolo have been vulnerable to counter-attacks and set-pieces. The high defensive line that Grosso favours has been exploited by opponents with pace in behind, while individual errors have proved costly at crucial moments. The team has also struggled to defend crosses, with opponents targeting the full-back areas as a source of chances.

In this match, Sassuolo will need to be more aggressive and take the game to Como from the first whistle. With their survival on the line, caution must be thrown to the wind, and the home side must show the desperation and urgency that their situation demands. This could leave them vulnerable at the back, but they have little choice given their precarious position.

Como’s Approach

Cesc Fàbregas has implemented a possession-based, attacking philosophy at Como that has earned plaudits from across Italian football. The Spaniard typically sets his side up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, with an emphasis on controlling the ball, creating overloads in wide areas, and playing through the lines to create goal-scoring opportunities.

The key to Como’s success has been the quality of their midfield. The combination of Nico Paz’s creativity, Maxence Caqueret’s industry, and Lucas da Cunha’s intelligence has created a unit that can dominate possession and dictate the tempo of matches. This midfield control has allowed Como to protect their defence while providing a platform for their attacking players to thrive.

In attack, Como have been fluid and interchangeable, with players rotating positions and creating confusion in opposition defences. The width provided by the full-backs has been crucial, stretching opponents and creating space for the likes of Douvikas and Morata to operate in central areas. Set-pieces have also been a valuable source of goals, with the team’s height and organisation making them a threat from corners and free-kicks.

Defensively, Como have been reasonably solid, though not impregnable. They have shown a willingness to press high when appropriate, but they are also comfortable dropping deeper and defending their penalty area when necessary. The experience of Goldaniga and Kempf has been invaluable in organising the backline and dealing with aerial threats.

Against Sassuolo, Como will look to control possession and frustrate the home side. They will be aware that Sassuolo’s desperation could lead to mistakes, and they will be looking to exploit the spaces that open up as the home side push forward in search of goals.

Key Players to Watch

Sassuolo – Andrea Pinamonti

The striker has been Sassuolo’s primary source of goals this season, and he will need to be at his clinical best if the home side are to take anything from this match. Pinamonti’s movement and finishing ability make him a constant threat, and Como will need to be wary of his ability to find space in the penalty area.

Sassuolo – Kristian Thorstvedt

The Norwegian midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing season for Sassuolo. His energy, drive, and ability to contribute goals from midfield make him a key player in Grosso’s system. Thorstvedt’s ability to break forward and support the attack will be crucial in providing the service that Pinamonti needs.

Como – Nico Paz

The on-loan Real Madrid midfielder has been a revelation this season, showcasing the technical quality and vision that marked him out as one of the most promising young talents in Spanish football. Paz’s ability to pick a pass and create chances from nothing makes him the player most likely to unlock Sassuolo’s defence.

Como – Anastasios Douvikas

The Greek striker has found his scoring touch in Serie A, and his movement and clinical finishing have made him a constant threat. Douvikas’s ability to find space in behind defences could be particularly dangerous against a Sassuolo backline that has been vulnerable to runs in behind.

Match Prediction

This match presents a classic clash between a desperate home side and a confident away team with little to play for. Sassuolo’s situation demands an all-out attacking approach, but this could play into Como’s hands, as the visitors possess the quality on the counter-attack to punish any defensive lapses.

The reverse fixture demonstrated the gulf in class between these two teams, and while Sassuolo have improved marginally since that encounter, they still look ill-equipped to overcome a Como side that has been one of the stories of the season. Fàbregas has his team playing with confidence and freedom, and they will fancy their chances of completing a league double over the basement side.

Sassuolo’s home advantage could count for something, but their record at the Mapei Stadium this season does not inspire confidence. The pressure of their predicament has often led to nervous, error-strewn performances in front of their own supporters, and Como will be looking to exploit any anxiety that manifests early in the match.

We predict a 2-1 victory for Como, with Sassuolo giving themselves hope through an early goal but ultimately falling short as Como’s superior quality and composure tell in the second half. The over 2.5 goals market looks attractive given the likelihood of an open, attacking game, while both teams to score also appeals considering Sassuolo’s desperation and Como’s occasional defensive frailties.

Betting Tips

• Como to win: The visitors are the better team and have shown consistency that Sassuolo can only dream of. At 4/6, this offers solid value.
• Both teams to score: Sassuolo have nothing to lose and should find the net at home, but Como’s attacking quality should see them score too. Available at 8/11.
• Over 2.5 goals: With Sassuolo needing to attack and Como possessing quality in forward areas, this match should see goals. Priced at 8/11.
• Andrea Pinamonti anytime goalscorer: The Sassuolo striker is their main threat and should get chances against Como’s defence.
• Correct score – Como 2-1: For those looking for bigger odds, a narrow Como victory seems the most likely outcome.

Remember to gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Check out our Serie A predictions for more betting tips and analysis throughout the season.