Empoli will have to fight hard for their future in the top flight as they get ready to travel to Palermo.
A lot will be riding on tomorrow’s Serie-A match as Empoli will prepare to battle Palermo in a bid to retain their future in the top flight. The hosts have already been relegated to Serie-B, and will hope to put a strong performance before saying goodbye to Serie-A for a while.
If Palermo manage to restrict Empoli, Crotone will manage to secure a spot in the top flight, while Empoli will have to join their opponents for tomorrow in the Serie-B.
Considering Palermo have already been relegated, it might sound like an easy win for Empoli, but the fact that is that they have avoided defeat in their last three matches at home and managed to record clean sheets in all of them.
Team News and Tactics
Palermo
Few changes are expected in Palermo’s lineup from their previous game, as Alessandro Diamanti is likely to come in support of Ilija Nestorovski. Roland Sallai is also expected to get some playing time later in the game.
Palermo might have endured relegation, but they have improved in recent weeks. They have an impressive home record compared to their competition, as they are unbeaten in all matches at home to a bottom six side.
They will be confident enough to cause some trouble for Empoli who will be desperate to secure a win and have been poor on their travels. Using that to their greatest advantage, Palermo is likely to try and dominate Empoli and restrict them from scoring early goals.
Predicted lineup: Fulignati, Gonzalez, Goldaniga, Cionek, Aleesami, Henrique, Jajalo, Chochev, Rispoli, Diamanti, Nestorovski
Empoli
Giovanni Martusciello will have to miss out on two players due to suspension for the crucial game at Palermo as they ignite a fight to avoid relegation. Rade Krunic will replace Omar El Kaddouri, while Andres Tello will play in midfield.
Although Empoli were in fiery form against AC Milan and Fiorentina, they followed those wins with an embarrassing defeat at Cagliari. They have failed to score in most of their away trips and have also lost more than half their matches which were away.
Their desperate bid for points will be tested by Palermo as the hosts will look to try and pressure Empoli into crumbling apart. However, the best way to counter that will be retain composure throughout and not make hasty plays in a bid to score early on.
Predicted lineup: Pucciarelli, Thiam, Krunic, Tello, Diousse, Croce, Laurini, Bellusci, Costa, Pasqual, Skorupski
Key Stats
- Palermo have won only two of their 11 previous games against Empoli in the top-flight, losing six times and sharing three draws.
- The Rosanero haven’t scored a single goal in their last five league games against Empoli.
- None of the 11 previous meetings between Palermo and Empoli has seen both teams find the net.
- Palermo have kept a clean sheet in three straight home matches, while they’ve failed to score in 44% of their games here.
- There’s only one away game all season which Empoli have won by a two goal margin.
Prediction
The likely outcome is a 2-1 victory for Empoli.
Despite having a poor away record, Empoli are aware of what is at stake here and will not indulge in silly mistakes that might cost them a chance to continue playing in the top flight next season.
Palermo will undoubtedly try their best to restrict Empoli, but Pasqual and Skorupski will have to weave their magic and catch the hosts’ defence at weak points in order to capitalize. Empoli have potential to do well, and they are likely to draw from that energy and push for a win.