Sassuolo vs Empoli: Preview and Prediction

Sassuolo vs Empoli
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 4 December 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Mapei Stadium (Reggio Emilia).

Two struggling sides will be desperate to avoid dropping points as they meet at the Mapei Stadium this Sunday.

It is not exactly a relegation dog-fight, but it is pretty close to being a six-pointed. Sassuolo and Empoli are only being propped up by Pescara, Crotone, and Palermo, but neither are really out of the danger zone, either. The Neroverdi come into this game having secured a last-gasp draw against Napoli, which just may give them the confidence they desperately need heading into this match.

Third time is not the charm so far for Eusebio Di Francesco’s team. Sassuolo only made their debut back in 2013 and shocked Serie A by making it to sixth spot last term. That got them a spot in the Europa League for the first time in their history. However, the strain of competing on two fronts has caught up to them. They’re out of the Europa League and have struggled horribly in the league so far.

At home, they have earned a dismal nine points out of a possible 18, which shows their problems aren’t just on the road. They do have a good chance to amend things, but will have to be cautious against an opponents who are equally as desperate to arrest their downward form.

Meanwhile, Empoli also continue to flounder. At one point, the Azzurri had scored just two goals after two months of playing. They added four more in a rout of Pescara, only to lose 4-0 to Fiorentina. They will be desperate for some much needed goals and more important, points here. Only three points keep them away from Pescara, who occupies the 18th placed spot. Empoli have shipped a whopping eight goals in their past two games – something that is highly discouraging for a team who don’t have the attack to counteract a leaky defense.

Sassuolo vs Empoli: Head-to-head statistics

• Sassuolo have lost just two out of their last 12 meetings with Empoli (eight meetings in Serie B, four in Serie A).
• The Neroverdi have a record of W10-D7-L3 in their past 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
• Empoli have a record of W1-D4-L15 in their past 20 away game against teams ranked above them in the table.

Sassuolo vs Empoli: Prediction

Sassuolo have conceded in their past eight consecutive league games. So far, they have shipped a total of 26 goals, whilst Empoli have conceded 21. The hosts will still be without the services of key man Domenico Berardi, who has been on the treatment table for much of this campaign. Still, considering that Empoli have managed just one away win in their past 11 on the road, the Neroverdi just may be able to do enough to grind out a decent result.