Cesena vs US Sassuolo Calcio preview - Cesena need points to beat drop

Cesena must take all three points against Sassuolo on Sunday to stand any chance of avoiding relegation.

The Emilia-Romagna outfit are nine points adrift of 17th-placed Atalanta with four games remaining.

Cesena have not won since March 1 and the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.

"We know our situation is critical as we not only need to win our remaining games but hope other results go our way," Cesena coach Domenico Di Carlo said to the Italian press. "We have four games left to play and we will try to clinch 12 points.

"We owe it to ourselves and to our fans."

Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Fiorentina coupled with Atalanta's 1-1 draw against Lazio complicated Cesena's hopes of retaining their Serie A status.

With 12 points still up for grabs, Cesena not only cannot fail but must hope Atalanta slip up in their remaining games.

Cesena have won just four and lost 18 of their 34 games.

Di Carlo's side have struggled in every department, giving away 61 goals while scoring just 32.

"We deserved to draw and win certain games where we lost," Di Carlo said. "When you leave four or five points along the way, it's costly."

Sassuolo go into the encounter at the Dino Manuzzi stadium with 37 points in the bank.

Last weekend's goalless draw against Palermo lifted Sassuolo to 16th in the standings, 10 points above the drop zone.

Victory on Sunday would mathematically ensure Eusebio Di Francesco's side another season in Italy's top flight.

"We want to get as many points as possible in our remaining games," Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi said.

"Our aim is to avoid the drop and we are almost there. We are going to Cesena to win."

Sassuolo have lost their last five away games and are in the midst of a five-match winless run.

The visitors will be without suspended midfielder Matteo Brighi.