Two sides still in contention for European football next season face off at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday as Sassuolo play host to Hellas Verona in Serie A.

Verona are ninth in the table and just one point off seventh, while Sassuolo are five points worse off than their opponents in 12th.

Match preview

After collecting just one point from games against two struggling sides in Udinese and Sampdoria prior to the three-month hiatus, Verona hit back with a 2-1 win against Cagliari in their first game back.

However, any hope of building some momentum were brought to a halt by Napoli in Tuesday's 2-0 home loss - Arkadiusz Milik and Hirving Lozano on target in either half for the visitors.

Still, the Gialloblu are rightly in European contention, largely thanks to seventh place now being enough for a Europa League qualification spot following Napoli's Coppa Italia triumph last week.

With Parma, the side currently occupying seventh place, scheduled to visit Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi next week, Ivan Juric will know that this is not the time for his side to slip up.

However, Verona are winless in their last five away games - four of those finishing in draws - since seeing off SPAL 2-0 on January 5.

Sassuolo, by comparison, have won three of their last four home games, including a 3-0 victory over Brescia in their most recent match at the Mapei Stadium.

Those home wins have just about kept the Neroverdi in contention for a seventh-place finish, though defeat this weekend will surely put an end to those slim European aspirations.

In fact, Roberto De Zerbi's side are still not safe from relegation, sitting as they do seven points above the dropzone with 11 games still to go.

If nothing else, Sassuolo have been involved in some entertaining matches of late, none more so than Wednesday's truly incredible 3-3 draw with Inter Milan.

In a game that had it all - an open goal miss, red card, VAR drama and goals aplenty - as Giangiacomo Magnani snatched a late point for his side at San Siro.

That type of spirit will stand De Zerbi's side in good stead for the run-in, and another home win on Sunday will very much ensure that their season is not quite over just yet.

Sassuolo's Serie A form: WWLWLD

Hellas Verona's Serie A form: DWDLWL

Team News

Sassuolo lost right-back Jeremy Toljan to injury in their recent defeat to Atalanta and he played no part in the six-goal thriller with Inter.

Mert Muldur played well at San Siro and is expected to retain his place this weekend, while Rogerio is also in contention to keep his place on the opposite flank.

Marlon Santos is back from suspension and may be recalled, potentially spelling bad news for Gian Marco Ferrari.

As for Hellas, they will be looking to keep changes to a minimum, despite losing against Napoli last time out.

Giampaolo Pazzini and Eddie Salcedo - second-half subs in midweek - are both pushing for recalls to the starting lineup.

No player from Verona's current squad has ever scored a Serie A goal against Sassuolo.

Sassuolo's possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Santos, Rogerio; Magnanelli, Obiang; Berardi, Djuricic, Boga; Caputo

Hellas Verona's possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Rrahmani, Kumbulla, Empereur; Faraoni, Amrabat, Veloso, Lazovic; Carmine, Zaccagni; Verre

We say: Sassuolo 2-2 Hellas Verona

The four previous meetings between these sides at Sassuolo's ground have seen both sides win two games each. Hellas have become draw experts on their travels, meanwhile, so we are tipping this contest to finish all square - a result that does neither side much good.