Empoli vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction

Empoli vs Juventus
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 2nd October 2016
Kick-Off: 11:30 UK,
Venue: Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli).

A struggling Empoli will be hoping for a miracle as they welcome league leaders Juventus to the Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday morning.

The Azzurri are only being propped up by Crotone, who have yet to win a single game this season. Although it is early in the season, things are looking quite dismal for the Tuscan side. To complicate an already dire situation, Empoli are facing an injury crisis in defense. Both Vincent Laurini and Andrea Costa are likely out for this one, as is Federico Barba, who could have served as a replacement. This means that Giuseppe Bellusci will have to feature despite not being at 100 per cent full fitness, thus making an already frail defense that more weakened against a Juventus side who cruised to a comfortable win in mid-week.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men were far from their best against Palermo, but it’s obvious they were saving their energies for their trip to Zagreb in Champions League action. The Bianconeri dominated the Croatian outfit from start to finish, with both Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain scoring as well as Dani Alves opening his European account with an excellently taken free-kick.

Juventus last loss in the league was their surprise 2-1 reversal to Inter in the Derby d’Italia. That was three rounds ago, and they look set to have no problems making it four on the trot heading into the international hiatus. Allegri will have four players – Claudio Marchisio, Mehdi Benatia, Daniele Rugani, and Kwadwo Asamoah – out, but despite this, Juventus should have no problems taking care of business in this one.

Empoli vs Juventus Head-to-head statistics

• Empoli have not beaten Juventus in Serie A since a 1-0 result on April 3, 1999.
• Their last overall win was on December 6, 2007.
• The Azzurri have won five, drawn five, and lost 10 out of their last 20 home fixtures against teams higher than them in the table.
• Juventus have won 31 out of their last 34 Serie A games.
• The Bianconeri have won 16 out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked lower than them in the league table.
• Empoli have failed to score in five out of their last six Serie A games.

Empoli vs Juventus: Prediction

This game could not come at a worse possible time for a miserably performing Empoli side. Unless if the Azzurri turn things around – and quickly – they could find themselves facing a battle to avoid the drop to Serie B. Unfortunately for them, this upcoming game will not be the platform in which they will be able to turn things around and barring a shocking catastrophic showing from Juventus, the Bianconeri should have no problems making it four wins on the trot.

It will be interesting to see if Allegri opts to mix things up a bit up front, and perhaps give Croatian duo Mario Mandzukic and Marko Pjaca a run-out from the start, or stick with Argentinian pair Higuain and Dybala.

It’s going to be a case of major damage control as Empoli try to keep the score-line as respectable as possible. Given their opponents’ poorly performing attack, Juventus also should be able to keep a clean sheet in this one.

Empoli vs Juventus: Betting tips

• Juventus to win and Over 2.5 goals at 1/1 (2.00)
• Over 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80)
• Juventus to win at 3/10 (1.30).