Empoli vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Sassuolo hope to build on victory

Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco is looking for his side to build on last weekend's triumph over Parma when they take on Empoli in Tuscany on Sunday.

Di Francesco's men bounced back from four straight defeats with Sunday's 4-1 triumph over bottom-side Parma.

The win, Sassuolo's first since February 1, lifted the Emilia-Romagna club to 13th place, two points clear of Sunday's opponents.

"Against Parma, we were finally able to show our football," Di Francesco told the Italian press. "We were able to impose our play and make the most of our chances.

"We now need to give continuity to this performance and move up in the standings.

"We still have some work left to do in order to defend our Serie A status."

Sassuolo have collected 32 points so far and travel to Empoli looking for their first win on the road since January 6.

Empoli carry a seven-match unbeaten run into this weekend's encounter.

Coach Maurizio Sarri expects a stern test against a Sassuolo side that beat Empoli 3-1 earlier this season.

"When a team fields in attack players of the calibre of (Simone) Zaza, (Gianluca) Sansone and (Domenico) Berardi, you cannot expect a simple game," Sarri said.

"We face a very difficult game against a strong team that has a lot of potential."

Zaza, Sansone and Berardi have combined for 21 of Sassuolo's 33 goals this season in Serie A.

Empoli have lost just one of their last nine games at the Carlo Castellani stadium.

The Tuscan side held Cagliari to a 1-1 result in Sardinia last time out - their third straight draw - to climb to 15th place, nine points clear of the drop zone.

"We just have to focus on ourselves in order to achieve our aim, which is not an easy one," Sarri said.

Sarri will have all of his players available while Sassuolo are still without injured defender Paolo Cannavaro.