Sassuolo vs. Parma: Prediction, Team News, and Lineups Preview
On Saturday, Sassuolo will welcome Parma to the Mapei Stadium for their opening Serie A match of 2026. Both teams are from the Emilia-Romagna region and are crucially positioned in the standings as they head into gameweek 18. Sassuolo, newly promoted, sits ninth, while Parma is in 15th place, struggling to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Match Preview
Sassuolo recently held Bologna to a 1-1 draw, marking their third consecutive game without a victory. Their last league win was a notable 3-1 triumph over bottom-placed Fiorentina on December 6. Despite this, Sassuolo has shown promise this season, being the highest-ranked promoted team, currently sitting five points behind Como in sixth place.
However, their home performance has been a concern, with four losses in eight matches at the Mapei Stadium. To enhance their chances of European qualification for the upcoming season, Sassuolo will need to bolster their home record.
Parma’s Form
Parma arrives with newfound confidence after securing their fourth win of the season. Despite only four victories from 16 matches, three of those wins came in their last five outings. This recent surge has pushed them to seventh in the form table, contrasting Sassuolo’s five points from their last five games.
The Gialloblu aim for a third consecutive away victory, having recently won at Hellas Verona and Pisa. However, they have struggled in recent encounters with Sassuolo, failing to secure a win in their last two fixtures against them.
Team News
- Sassuolo Injuries: Domenico Berardi (muscle), Yeferson Paz (hip), Edoardo Pieragnolo (knee), Daniel Boloca (knee), Filippo Romagna (calf).
- Parma Injuries: Matija Frigan (knee), Abdoulaye Ndiaye (groin), Zion Suzuki (finger).
Woyo Coulibaly is representing Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, leaving Parma without one of their key players. Sassuolo will rely on Andrea Pinamonti, who has scored four goals this season, and Armand Lauriente, a key playmaker with three goals and three assists.
Predicted Lineups
| Sassuolo | Parma |
|---|---|
| Muric | Corvi |
| Walukiewicz | Del Prato |
| Idzes | Circati |
| Muharemovic | Valenti |
| Doig | Valeri |
| Thorstvedt | Bernabe |
| Matic | Keita |
| Kone | Sorensen |
| Volpato | Ondrejka |
| Pinamonti | Benedyczak |
| Lauriente | Pellegrino |
Match Prediction
Given Sassuolo’s struggles at home and Parma’s recent resurgence, a closely contested match is anticipated. Sassuolo’s recent form has led to predictions of a 1-1 draw. Both teams will be eager to secure points, but the outcome may reflect their current positions in the league.
In summary, the Sassuolo vs. Parma clash on Saturday promises to be an engaging encounter. With both teams battling for crucial points in Serie A, fans can expect an exciting match at the Mapei Stadium.
