Empoli vs Genoa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Empoli have slipped away but remain in mid-table after a bright start to the campaign as they now welcome Patrick Vieira’s solid Genoa to Florence for this end of year clash.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 28th December, 2024: UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
How to watch online: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
Empoli Preview: D’Aversa searching for something
Former Benevento coach Roberto D’Aversa was appointed Empoli boss over the summer after they narrowly avoided the drop on the final day of the campaign. They started very well and remain in mid-table but come into this one on the back of some really poor form.
The home team most recently suffered a dramatic 3-2 loss to league leaders Atalanta in Bergamo last weekend in a game in which they did lead 1-0 before losing late on. That means they have now managed just one win in their last six matches in Serie A.
Genoa Preview: Solid Genovese
During the November international break last month, Genoa took the decision to sack manager Alberto Gilardino and replace him with former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira. The visitors started his reign steadily but are still struggling for some attacking cohesion.
They began with two draws and a victory in their opening three matches before then facing title challenging Napoli at the Luigi Ferraris at the weekend. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani gave the Neapolitans a 2-0 lead before Andrea Pinaminto pulled one back for Genoa.
Empoli Team News: Several absentees
Empoli are dealing with several injury issues ahead of this weekend’s visit of Genoa as summer signing Saba Sazonov remains sidelined alongside the likes of key men such as Ola Solbakken and Pietro Pellegri in attacking areas.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Cacace; Gyasi, Anjorin, Grassi, Pezzella; Colombo, Henderson; Esposito
Unavailable: Ebuehi (Injured), Sazonov (Injured), Viti (Injured), Haas (Injured), Zurkowski (Injured), Solbakken (Injured), Pellegri (Injured)
Questionable:
Genoa Team News: Still no Junior Messias
Ukraine international midfielder Ruslan Malinovskiy remains unavailable due to an ankle injury ahead of the trip to France and he is sidelined alongside Junior Messias. Centre-back Koni De Winter is also a doubt due to a thigh issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Johan Vasquez, Caricol; Badelj, Frendrup; Zanoli, Miretti, Vitinha; Pinamonti
Unavailable: Malinovskiy (Injured), Junior Messias (Injured)
Questionable: De Winter (Injured), Ekhator (Injured)
Empoli vs Genoa Prediction
Empoli have been very frustrating to watch in the last couple of months with D’Aversa, a disciple of Roberto De Zerbi, has struggled to implement a more attacking style of football. They now face a Genoa side that will head to Florence looking to discover a fluency and rhythm in the final third of the pitch with Vieira’s focus, quite surprisingly, being to tighten Genoa up at the back. A low-scoring affair seems quite likely for this one.
Empoli vs Genoa Tip: Under 2.5 goals
