[2026-27 Italian Serie A] AS Roma vs US Sassuolo preview and analysis Kick-off: November 7, 19:45 UTC
AS Roma’s wide attacks match the routes US Sassuolo have conceded from recently. Roma have also conceded more often in the second half, so how they manage a lead deserves attention too.
1. Match overview and team form
Gian Piero Gasperini’s AS Roma attack in a 3-4-2-1, using wing-back crosses and runs from the two attacking midfielders. Their 28 goals in 10 league matches are the most in the league. Against Udinese, Bryan Cristante headed in a cross from Wesley. Against Cagliari, the wing-back on the far side and a midfielder both entered the penalty area to finish crosses. Soule and Moro also target the space behind opposing full-backs when they push forward. That attacking pattern now faces US Sassuolo’s 4-3-3.
Roma’s concern is the second half. They have conceded 6 of their 7 goals across the last 3 matches after the break (Data Center). Against Manchester United, they led at half-time, but spent more time pinned back after Moro was substituted and eventually lost from a winning position. Moro’s substitution alone does not explain the defeat, but Roma’s ability to carry the ball forward weakened after he went off. This is their ninth match in 27 days (ForzaRoma, 11-06). Svilar is unavailable, and reports say Gollini, who made 6 saves against Cagliari, is also likely to miss out unless there is a major change (RomaNews24, ForzaRoma, 11-06). The connection between expected starter Llach Devis and the defence in the second half will be a factor. Dybala and Pellegrini’s absences weigh more heavily on the options available off the bench in the attacking midfield roles than on the starting pairing of Moro and Soule, who have led the attack recently.
Alberto Aquilani has said US Sassuolo will stick with their 4-3-3 and look to keep possession (Canale Sassuolo, 11-06). Their recent run of 4 straight defeats includes matches against top sides and a red card against Lazio. But they also conceded 4 at home to 16th-placed Fiorentina, so their problems defending wide areas and responding in the second half cannot be explained by the opposition’s quality alone. Berardi and Volpato are unavailable (Canale Sassuolo, 11-06). Dominguez is expected to take Berardi’s place on the right, and Sassuolo may rely more on Laurienté’s runs down the left to meet forward passes from Matić or Esposito. Thorstvedt is available again after serving his suspension (Blasting News, 11-06).
2. Matchup analysis
The first key contest is between Roma’s wing-backs and Sassuolo’s full-backs. If Molina and Wesley push forward while Moro and Soule support from inside, the full-backs will have to track runs in two directions whenever Sassuolo’s wide forwards are not helping defensively. Sassuolo conceded after an early wide combination against Lazio, then let in goals in the 49th and 60th minutes against Como 1907 after their opponents made a half-time change and attacked down the left (Data Center, 10-28). Roma’s repeated use of crosses and runs into the box will test that defence again. If Sassuolo keep possession and push their full-backs forward, Soule and Malen could also find space behind them.
The second contest is Laurienté against the right side of Roma’s back three. Laurienté scored twice against Fiorentina after receiving forward passes from Esposito and Matić. If Roma lose the ball with their wing-back pushed up, Laurienté can run into the space behind Mancini or Ghilardi on the right. Roma were beaten in wide duels in the second half against Cagliari and conceded an equaliser. With Berardi out, more of Sassuolo’s attack could be channelled through Laurienté, though if that route opens up, Llach Devis may have to face a shot himself.
The two sides face different questions with their substitutes. Roma will be concerned about sustaining their attack after Moro goes off, although Ghilardi, Moro and Malen, all introduced in the second half against Cagliari, played a part in the late goal. Sassuolo conceded in the 79th minute and at 90+3 against Fiorentina after their opponents made a change in the 77th (Data Center, 11-03). Roma’s fatigue and Sassuolo’s defensive problems after substitutions could surface at the same time. Roma have won the last 2 meetings, but those results came before Aquilani took charge and are difficult to use as a direct guide to today’s tactics.
3. Verdict and conclusion
We expect Roma to take the lead by making the most of their advantage out wide in the first half. As in the move against Udinese, when Wesley crossed for Cristante to finish (Data Center, 11-01), crosses and runs from midfield should trouble Sassuolo’s wide defence. In the second half, Roma’s workload and goalkeeper change could give Laurienté a chance to pull one back. Even so, if Sassuolo push their full-backs forward to chase the game, Roma should score again in the space they leave behind and build a two-goal lead. Both teams should have chances after the break, so we expect a high-scoring game.
The market has strongly favoured a home win, citing Roma’s unbeaten run and Sassuolo’s losing streak, while remaining cautious about a big margin. Our point of difference is that Sassuolo’s recent heavy defeats are difficult to explain by red cards alone. They were already 1-3 down against Lazio before the 31st-minute dismissal, and conceded 2 more after Fiorentina made substitutions. On the other hand, if Sassuolo protect the wide areas and reach half-time with a clean sheet, as they did in the first half against Como 1907, Roma may struggle to create the expected gap because of fatigue and limited options to change their attacking midfield.
[Final picks · by market · Betman lines] 1X2: Roma win. Roma’s most common route to goal matches the route Sassuolo have most often conceded from, and Roma should take the lead while they have more energy in the first half. Handicap -1: Roma win. Sassuolo’s tendency to concede again after pushing forward in pursuit of an equaliser, including after opponents make substitutions, should produce a win by at least 2 goals. Handicap -2: Draw. Roma should concede once and score once in the second half, leaving their two-goal half-time advantage intact. Handicap -3.5: Sassuolo win. To win by 4 or more, Roma would need to keep attacking without conceding after the break, but their options in attacking midfield are limited. Over/under 3.5: Over. Roma’s first-half attacks down the flanks, a second-half reply from Laurienté and a late counterattacking goal should all feature in the same match.
