Monza vs Empoli Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Monza have endured a humiliating Serie A season and their relegation to Serie B has been confirmed for a while as they take on an Empoli side that are still fighting for top-flight status.
Kick-off date/time:
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+
Monza preview: Terrible season
Monza began the season with AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta at the helm with Nesta then sacked in late-December but he returned just about a month later after the sacking of Salvatore Bocchetti with just three victories and 18 points collected in their 36 matches.
The home team come into this one on the back of their third victory of the campaign as they defeated mid-table Udinese by two goals to one at the Bluenergy Stadium in Friuli thanks to goals from Gianluca Caprari and Keita Balde.
Empoli preview: Much-needed win
Empoli also enjoyed a surprise victory but it mattered much more last weekend as they defeated fellow strugglers Parma by two goals to one at the Stadio Carlo Castellani to give the Florence-based outfit a chance of survival in Serie A.
They toom the lead in the 11th minute of the match via Jacopo Fazzini before Lautaro Valenti was then sent off for Parma about 20 minutes later. Milan Djuric equalised for Parma mid-way through the second-half before a late winner scored by former Chelsea man Tino Anjorin.
Monza team news: Pereira suspended
Monza wing-back Pedro Pereira is missing through suspension for this weekend’s visit of Empoli. They also have a few key injury doubts including one of last weekend’s goal scorers, Gianluca Caprari, as well as many others.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Pizzignacco; Lekovic, Brorsson, Carboni; Birindelli, Castrovilli, Bianco, Akpa-Akpro, Kyriakopoulos; Forson, Caprari
Unavailable: Pereira (Suspended), Pessina (Injured)
Questionable: Caldirola (Injured), Izzo (Injured), D’Ambrosio (Injured), Gagliardini (Injured), Caprari (Injured), Ganvoula (Injured), Dany Mota (Injured)
Empoli team news: Nothing new
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Empoli to deal with this weekend as they make the trip to Stadio Brianteo. Youssef Maleh remains a doubt for the visitors, whilst the likes of Szymon Zurkowski, Christian Kouame and Pietro Pellegri are confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Marianucci, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Pezzella; Fazzini, Cacace; Esposito
Unavailable: Sazonov (Injured), Haas (Injured), Zurkowski (Injured), Kouame (Injured), Pellegri (Injured)
Questionable: Maleh (Injured)
Monza vs Empoli prediction
Monza have been woeful throughout the campaign but they will want to give restore some pride for themselves with their defeat of Udinese providing their supporters with at least something. They now face an Empoli side that head to Lombardy looking to pull off something of a great escape with their victory last weekend perhaps stirring something and siding with the visitors in a likely low-scoring affair would seem a good bet for this one.
Monza vs Empoli tip: Empoli to win & under 3.5 goals
