Empoli vs Napoli Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Empoli vs Napoli on and what time does it start? Empoli vs Napoli will take place on Saturday 20th April, 2024 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Empoli vs Napoli? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Empoli vs Napoli on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Empoli vs Napoli
Where can I stream Empoli vs Napoli in the UK? If Empoli vs Napoli is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
EMPOLI
After the failed stints of both Paolo Zanetti and Aurelio Andreazzoli earlier this season, Empoli took the decision to appoint Italy’s ‘miracle worker’, Davide Nicola. The man who pulled off great escapes with both Crotone and Salernitana in recent years has worked his magic once again, this time in Florence.
Empoli begin this match day sitting outside of the bottom three and the relegation places as a result of the excellent run of form that they went on initially following his arrival. However, they do come into this one now on the back of a fifth defeat in their last six matches away to Lecce with Nicola Sansone scoring an 89th minute winner at Stadio Comunale Via del Mare.
NAPOLI
It has been a really difficult defence of their title for Napoli with the Neapolitans continuing to underperform under the management of Maurizio Sarri’s former assistant Francesco Calzona, who will be coaching Slovakia at UEFA EURO 2024. They have already sacked both Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri this season.
Napoli come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw against struggling Frosinone in their most recent outing, last weekend. Matteo Politano and Victor Osimhen gave Napoli the lead on separate occasions with Walid Cheddira scoring two equalising goals. They have managed just three victories in ten matches across all competitions since Calzona was appointed.
THE TEAM NEWS
EMPOLI
Gaetano Guarino is a doubt for this weekend and Empoli also have a couple of injury absentees such as defensive duo Tyronne Ebuehi and Ardian Ismajli.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Marin, Bastoni, Pezzella; Zurkowski, Cancellieri; Cerri
UNAVAILABLE: Ismajli (Injured), Ebuehi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Guarino (Injured)
NAPOLI
Both Mario Rui and Amir Rrahmani are out suspended for this one, whilst Juan Jesus is missing through injury and Mathias Olivera is a doubt, too.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Mazzocchi, Ostigard, Natan; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
UNAVAILABLE: Rui (Suspended), Rrahmani (Suspended), Juan Jesus (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Olivera (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
At the start of the season, Empoli were one of the red-hot favourites for relegation and Napoli were beginning just their third ever Serie A title defence. Empoli went on to endure a difficult campaign but will now head into the Serie A run in as one of the better sides down in Italy’s relegation battle. Napoli are struggling to even beat the likes of Frosinone at home and this one is a step up so siding with Empoli looks the way to go for this one and would be good value, too.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – EMPOLI TO WIN OR DRAW
