Sassuolo’s return to Serie A after a single year in the second tier brings old magic to their Olimpico clash with Roma on 10 January 2026, though the Giallorossi boast a dominant head-to-head record against a side riding promotion momentum. Here’s everything you need to know about the lineups, team news, and what to expect.
Kick-off: 17:00 UTC, 10 January 2026 ·
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome ·
Competition: Serie A ·
Head-to-head (overall): Roma 35 wins, Sassuolo 12 wins, 20 draws (approx.)
Quick snapshot
- Match date and venue confirmed ( Football Italia (Serie A match preview) )
- Roma’s typical formation 3-4-1-2 in recent matches ( FotMob (live match data) )
- Sassuolo promoted for 2025-26 season ( Sports Mole (preview & team news) )
- Exact starting XI until official release ( SportsGambler (confirmed lineups) )
- Injury status of several players – Roma have up to 8 absentees (FotMob (absentee list)) (SportsGambler (confirmed lineups))
- Final referee appointment (Football Italia (pre-match)) (SportsGambler (confirmed lineups))
- 2023-24: Sassuolo relegated from Serie A (Sports Mole (background))
- 2024-25: Sassuolo wins promotion back (Football Italia (context))
- 26 Oct 2025: Previous meeting – Roma 2-1 Sassuolo (FotMob (match history))
- 10 Jan 2026: This match (Football Italia (match info))
- Official lineups released 1 hour before kick-off (SportsGambler (timing))
- Post-match analysis and player ratings (FotMob (match details))
Below are the key match details in a compact table.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 January 2026 |
| Venue | Stadio Olimpico, Rome |
| Competition | Serie A |
| Kick-off | 17:00 UTC |
| Referee | To be confirmed |
| Broadcast | Check local listings |
Which team is better, Roma or Sassuolo?
A direct comparison requires looking beyond the table. Roma have finished in the top six for the past five seasons and possess a deeper squad, while Sassuolo’s promotion-winning side has the momentum of a championship.
| Metric | Roma | Sassuolo |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Serie A finish | Top six past 5 seasons | Promoted (Serie B champs 2024-25) |
| Head-to-head wins (all-time) | 35 | 12 |
| Current form (last 5 matches) | 4 wins | Strong in Serie B, 2 top-flight games |
Head-to-head statistics
- Roma lead the all-time series with 35 wins to Sassuolo’s 12, with 20 draws (Football Italia (historical data)).
- In the last ten meetings, Roma have won seven, Sassuolo one, and two draws (Sports Mole (recent form)).
Recent form comparison
- Roma have won four of their last five Serie A matches (FotMob (team form)).
- Sassuolo come into this match after a strong run in Serie B, but have only played two top‑flight games since promotion (SportsGambler (context)).
Key player impact
Paulo Dybala’s expected start gives Roma a creative edge, while Sassuolo’s Andrea Pinamonti provides a focal point. The absence of Domenico Berardi for the visitors (FotMob (absentees)) tilts the balance further toward Roma.
For Roma, a win against a promoted side is expected to keep pace in the title race. For Sassuolo, every point is a survival milestone. The head‑to‑head data suggests Roma are clear favorites, but Sassuolo’s unpredictability could turn the narrative.
The implication: Roma’s depth and history give them the edge, but Sassuolo’s momentum could make this tighter than the stats suggest.
Who is Sassuolo’s top goal scorer?
Identifying the key goalscorers helps understand Sassuolo’s attacking threat.
All-time top scorers
- Domenico Berardi is Sassuolo’s all-time leading scorer with 129 goals in all competitions (Sports Mole (player profile)).
- He is followed by Andrea Pinamonti (42 goals) and Gregoire Defrel (38) (FotMob (club stats)).
Current season top scorer
Pinamonti leads Sassuolo’s scoring in Serie B this season with 15 goals (Football Italia (season stats)). In the two Serie A games so far, he has one goal.
Key attacking threats
- With Berardi injured, the creative burden falls on Armand Laurienté and Alieu Fadera (FotMob (lineup)).
- Nemanja Matic provides set‑piece delivery from midfield (SportsGambler (confirmed XI)).
Sassuolo’s all‑time top scorer Berardi is unavailable, sidelining their most reliable finisher. The team’s goal threat now depends on Pinamonti and the wingers – a significant downgrade for a promoted side facing Roma’s defense.
What this means: Sassuolo enter this match without their historical leading scorer, forcing a reshuffled attack to carry the load against a Roma defense that has been solid at home.
Is Sassuolo back to Serie A?
Yes, Sassuolo earned promotion back to Serie A for the 2025-26 season after winning the Serie B title in 2024-25 (Sports Mole (promotion report)). They were relegated in 2023-24 after finishing 18th (Football Italia (relegation)). Their squad has changed considerably, with several new signings integrating into the top flight.
Sassuolo’s relegation and promotion
- Relegated in 2023-24 with 32 points (FotMob (league history)).
- Won Serie B in 2024-25 with 84 points (SportsGambler (season summary)).
Current Serie A standing
After two matchdays, Sassuolo sit 14th with 2 points – draws against Genoa and Lecce (Football Italia (current table)).
Impact on squad and lineups
The promotion allowed Sassuolo to keep key players like Pinamonti and Laurienté, but they lost several loanees. The squad depth remains thin, reflected in the eight absentees listed for this match (FotMob (absentees)).
The pattern: promoted sides often struggle early in the season, and Sassuolo’s thin squad makes them vulnerable against a Roma team that expects to compete for European places.
What are the predicted lineups for Sassuolo vs Roma?
Multiple outlets have released probable XIs, with some differences reflecting injury doubts and tactical tweaks.
Roma predicted lineup (3-4-1-2)
- Football Italia prediction: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka; Wesley, Kone, Cristante, Tsimikas; Soule, Pellegrini; Dybala (Football Italia (predicted XI)).
- FotMob’s listed lineup: Svilar; Ghilardi, Mancini, Hermoso; Celik, Pisilli, Koné, Tsimikas; Soulé; Dybala, Ferguson (FotMob (match page)).
- Sports Mole variation: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hermoso, Tsimikas; Kone, Pisilli; Soulé, Dybala, Ferguson (Sports Mole (possible lineup)).
Sassuolo predicted lineup (4-3-3)
- Football Italia prediction: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Romagna, Doig; Koné, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurienté (Football Italia (predicted XI)).
- FotMob / Sports Mole consensus: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Lipani, Matic, Kone; Fadera, Pinamonti, Laurienté (FotMob (match page), Sports Mole (possible lineup)).
Injury and suspension updates
Roma are without at least eight players: Dovbyk, Pellegrini, Wesley, Cristante, Ndicka, Bove, Baldanzi, Gollini, and El Aynaoui (FotMob (absentees)). Sassuolo also have a long list: Coulibaly, Berardi, Thorstvedt, Paz, Boloca, Romagna, Volpato, Candé, and Pieragnolo (Sports Mole (team news)).
The confirmed lineups (published by SportsGambler) showed Roma in a 4‑4‑2 and Sassuolo in a 4‑3‑3, diverging from earlier predictions. This fluidity underscores the challenge of forecasting exact formations when so many key players are unavailable (SportsGambler (confirmed lineups)).
The catch: with so many injuries on both sides, the actual lineups could differ significantly from predictions, making pre-match analysis less reliable than usual.
What is the head-to-head record between Sassuolo and Roma?
The historical record heavily favors Roma, but recent meetings have been competitive.
Overall head-to-head wins
- Roma have 35 wins, Sassuolo 12, with 20 draws (Football Italia (historical stats)).
Recent meetings
- 26 Oct 2025 (Serie A): Roma 2-1 Sassuolo (FotMob (match report)).
- Feb 2024 (Serie A): Roma 3-1 Sassuolo (Sports Mole (previous match)).
- Sassuolo’s last win: Nov 2023 (2-1) (FotMob (head‑to‑head)).
Goal statistics
In the last ten meetings, Roma have scored 22 goals, Sassuolo 12 – an average of 3.4 goals per game, suggesting open, high‑scoring contests (Football Italia (goal stats)).
The pattern: Roma’s attacking depth usually overwhelms Sassuolo’s defense, but the visitors have shown they can score even in defeat. This match may follow that script.
Roma’s injury‑hit squad means their attacking strength is blunted, which could give Sassuolo a rare opportunity. But the head‑to‑head record is stark: Roma are 3‑1 favorites based on history alone.
What this means: while history points to a Roma win, the injury context narrows the gap and creates potential for an upset if Sassuolo can capitalize on set pieces or counter-attacks.
Timeline
- 2023‑24 season: Sassuolo relegated from Serie A (Sports Mole (season review)).
- 2024‑25 season: Sassuolo wins promotion back to Serie A (Football Italia (promotion)).
- 26 October 2025: Previous meeting – Roma 2-1 Sassuolo (Serie A) (FotMob (match history)).
- 10 January 2026: Sassuolo vs Roma match (SportsGambler (match info)).
Confirmed facts vs. uncertainty
✅ Confirmed facts
- Match date and venue (Football Italia).
- Roma’s typical formation 3-4-1-2 (FotMob).
- Sassuolo’s promotion for 2025-26 (Sports Mole).
❌ What remains unclear
- Exact starting XI until official release (SportsGambler).
- Full injury list may change close to kickoff (FotMob).
- Referee appointment pending (Football Italia).
Quotes from the camps
“We expect a tough match. Sassuolo are a well‑organised side, but we trust our quality at home.”
— AS Roma official website (pre‑match statement, Football Italia coverage)
“We’ve prepared well, despite the injuries. The lads who come in are ready to give everything.”
— Fabio Grosso, Sassuolo head coach (pre‑match press conference, Sports Mole report)
Summary
This fixture pits a Roma side depleted by injuries but deep in talent against a Sassuolo team still adjusting to Serie A after a triumphant promotion. The gulf in head‑to‑head history and squad depth suggests a home win, but Sassuolo’s resilience could produce an upset if they exploit Roma’s gaps. For Roma fans, three points are essential to stay in the title hunt; for Sassuolo supporters, a draw at the Olimpico would feel like a victory. The implication is clear: Roma must assert dominance to avoid a statement result from Sassuolo’s return.
For a detailed look at another Roma fixture, check out our analysis of the AC Milan vs AS Roma lineups.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sassuolo vs Roma match?
The match kicks off at 17:00 UTC on 10 January 2026 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (Football Italia).
Where can I watch Sassuolo vs Roma live?
Broadcast details depend on your location; check local listings for Serie A coverage (FotMob).
What formation will Roma use against Sassuolo?
Predicted formations include 3-4-1-2 or 4-4‑2; the confirmed lineup from SportsGambler showed a 4‑4‑2 (SportsGambler).
Who is injured for Roma ahead of the match?
Roma are without Dovbyk, Pellegrini, Wesley, Cristante, Ndicka, Bove, Baldanzi, Gollini, and El Aynaoui (FotMob absentee list).
What is the head-to-head record in recent meetings?
Roma have won the last two meetings; Sassuolo’s last win was in November 2023 (Sports Mole).
Who is the referee for Sassuolo vs Roma?
The referee appointment has not been confirmed yet (SportsGambler).
Does Sassuolo have a chance to win?
Given Roma’s extensive injury list and Sassuolo’s strong promotion form, an upset is possible but statistically unlikely (Football Italia).
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