Como are aiming to continue their march up the table when they host Sassuolo in an Italian Serie A fixture. The hosts have only lost once all season, while the visitors are also showing some good form at the moment.
Como are coming off an impressive 5-1 victory at Torino in their previous Serie A fixture, with Jayden Addai netting a brace. Cesc Fabregas' men are now up to sixth in the table, just three points off the top four.
That result means Como have still only suffered one defeat in all competitions this season. They have won two of their last three home matches, with a 2-0 victory over Juventus among their results.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo are also enjoying a fine return to top-flight football and are ninth in the table, having picked up five wins and two draws from 12 Serie A matches. They were held to a 2-2 scoreline at Pisa in their previous fixture, with Kristian Thorstvedt netting an injury-time equaliser.
Sassuolo's recent form has been a bit erratic, with just two wins in their last six matches. However, they have done some good work on their travels and are unbeaten in their last four away matches.
How the bookies view it: Como highly fancied
Como have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 13/20 by Ladbrokes to claim the win. A victory for Sassuolo is valued at 4/1 on William Hill, while a draw is set at odds of 3/1 by Betfred.
Head to head: One previous meeting
The only previous clash between both teams came in the Coppa Italia back in September, with Como claiming a 3-0 home victory.
Players to watch: Midfield threat from Paz
Nico Paz carries an attacking threat from midfield and is the leading scorer for Como with five Serie A goals. He is also a major set-piece threat and could be the one to watch (Nico Paz anytime goalscorer – priced at 2/1 by bet365).
Sassuolo also have a wealth of attacking talent, with Andrea Pinamonti their joint leading scorer with four goals. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Andrea Pinamonti anytime goalscorer – valued at 5/2 on Betfred).
While there are others playing further forward, Paz’s overall quality and set-piece threat make him a valuable pick at attractive odds.
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Probable line-ups:
Assane Diao, Sergi Roberto and Edoardo Goldaniga remain sidelined for Como and are likely to miss Friday's clash. Paz and Addai should retain their spots in the team following their goals last time out, while Diego Carlos is set to start at the back.
Sassuolo also have injury problems, with Filippo Romagna, Daniel Boloca and Aster Vranckx all likely to miss out. Jay Idzes is set to continue at the back, while Pinamonti could lead the line once again.
Como: Butez, Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle, Perrone, Da Cunha, Rodriguez, Paz, Addai, Morata.
Sassuolo: Muric, Walukievicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Cande, Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone, Berardi, Pinamonti, Fadera.
Anything else catch the eye?
Como have scored in both halves in two of their last three home matches (Como to score in both halves – offered at 13/8 with William Hill). They also led at the break in the Coppa Italia victory back in September (Como halftime win – available at 6/5 on bet365).
The hosts have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last five home matches (Como over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 4/5 by William Hill).
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