Two places separate Torino and Sassuolo in the Serie A table heading into Monday's round 11 meeting at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Ivan Juric's men ended an extended winless run against Lecce in the previous round, while the Neroverdi's sequence without a victory continued against Bologna.
Match preview
After a month without scoring in the league, Torino secured a 1-0 victory over Lecce, with Alessandro Buongiorno's 41st-minute goal sealing the game.
The Granata had lost three — Lazio (2-0), Juventus (2-0) and Inter Milan (3-0) — and played out a goalless encounter with Hellas Verona since a 1-1 draw against Roma in late September.
Be that as it may, the quality of opponents Juric's side have faced means the underwhelming run could be excused, even if the tie with Jose Mourinho's men bade well before the challenging fixtures.
Returning to Turin in round 11, the Bull are keen to improve their one-win-in-five sequence in front of their supporters, although just one home defeat has been recorded.
Juric's side must turn draws into wins at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, even if their goalscoring bugbear — they have found the back of the net twice in five matches — threatens to undermine their progress.
Hosting Sassuolo was previously straightforward for the Granata, who claimed four straight wins in Turin in this fixture until the Neroverdi's 1-0 loss in September last year.
Alessio Dionisi's men have claimed two points from an available 12, leaving the club from Emilia-Romagna four points clear of 18th-placed Empoli.
This was undoubtedly unforeseen after Sassuolo deservedly defeated Juventus 4-2 on their turf and beat Inter Milan 2-1 at San Siro, taking them to three victories in four matches; however, Dionisi's men have not picked up maximum points since.
The team's ongoing run without winning is not helped by a penchant for conceding goals, underscored by the Neroverdi failing to keep a shutout this term — an 18-game run that stretches to April 2023.
A Coppa Italia triumph over Spezia was on penalties, but the clean sheet — admittedly against Serie B opposition — must have pleased Dionisi.
Team News
Juric's men are without the sidelined Koffi Djidji, Brandon Soppy and Perr Schuurs, with the latter's ACL injury sustained against Inter keeping him out until 2024.
The Torino boss is suspended after his sending-off against Lecce, but the team could line up in a 3-5-2 on Monday.
Agustin Alvarez is not expected to feature in any capacity, with a return from an ACL injury not slated until early 2024.
Pedro Obiang and Matheus Henrique are doubtful, and their participation or otherwise is uncertain.
Domenico Berardi contributed to 50% of Sassuolo's goals in victories over Juventus and Inter, and the wide attacker's dip has possibly contributed to his side's drop-off.
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Vojvoda, Buongiorno, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Ricci, Linetty, Gineitis, Lazaro; Sanabria, Pellegri
Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Vina; Boloca, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Bajrami, Lauriente; Pinamonti
We say: Torino 1-1 Sassuolo
Torino's lack of victories in Turin means a stalemate with Sassuolo, which has been the popular result between the clubs of late, could be on the cards in Monday's clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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