Sassuolo Calcio vs Torino 29 August 2026 Prediction

Ignazio Abate's Serie A managerial debut ended in defeat, but Torino has a favorable matchup in Matchweek 2. The Granata has faced Sassuolo 10 times over the past six years and lost only once.

Sassuolo's Wing Play

Sassuolo's road game against Atalanta was disappointing only in terms of the result, a 2-1 defeat. The Neroverdi outplayed an Atalanta side that regularly competes in Europe and created much better chances than Maurizio Sarri's team, recording 2.73 xG to Atalanta's 0.86. Sassuolo still needs to improve defensively. Both goals came from basic positioning errors by the center backs.

Managers come and go, but Sassuolo's 4-3-3 formation remains unchanged. Even with Domenico Berardi sidelined, the wingers remain central to the team's attack. Cristian Volpato and Armand Laurienté consistently threatened from wide areas in the opening match, combining for 14 crosses into the box and eight shots. Laurienté could be particularly dangerous against Torino, which had serious problems on the right side of its defense in Matchweek 1.

Torino Has Not Improved

Torino changed managers and signed six players this summer. Even so, a finish above midtable still looks unlikely. The opening match supported that view, as Torino was pinned inside its own half for most of a 2-1 home defeat to Milan. Abate's team created several chances only late in the game, after Milan could no longer maintain the same pressing intensity, and converted one of them. Torino's conditioning was one of the few positives.

Torino should be more assertive against an opponent of a similar level. Alieu Njie made an impact off the bench in the second half and could replace the more defensive Cesare Casadei in the left attacking midfield role. Swiss newcomer Eray Cömert should also enter the starting lineup after serving a suspension in the opening match. The former Valencia defender is expected to replace Ardian Ismajli in the back three.

Sassuolo vs Torino Predicted Lineup

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Murić; Cinquegrano, Macchioni, Odenthal, Doig; Adžić, Matić, Bakola; Volpato, Bowie, Laurienté

Unavailable: Berardi, Boloca, Pieragnolo, Candé, I. Koné, Walukiewicz (all injured)

Manager: Alberto Aquilani

Torino (3-4-2-1): Mascardi; Comuzzo, Coco, Cömert; Fortini, Gineitis, Fitz-Jim, Cacciamani; Vlašić, Njie; Simeone

Unavailable: None

Manager: Ignazio Abate

Sassuolo vs Torino Prediction: Sassuolo to Win at 2.28

Main prediction: Both teams lost their opening matches, but Sassuolo produced the more convincing performance. Alberto Aquilani's side attacked effectively down the flanks and created several good chances on the road against an Atalanta team expected to challenge for Champions League qualification. Torino, meanwhile, offered little going forward at home against Milan until the 70th minute. Aquilani has also faced teams managed by Abate four times without losing. The main pick is Sassuolo to win at 2.28.

Goals prediction: Both Sassuolo's and Torino's opening matches went Over 2.5 goals, and this game could follow the same pattern. Sassuolo's matches under Aquilani have been high-scoring. Excluding the 23-1 friendly against amateur side Alta Anaunia, matches involving the Neroverdi have averaged 3.5 total goals this summer. The secondary pick is Over 2.5 goals at 2.03.