Empoli welcome the visitors Sassuolo in the Italian Serie A – Round 24. The match will be held on Sunday, February, 17th, at the Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli).
Sassuolo were victorious over Empoli in four latest head-to-heads, scoring three goals in each (3:2, 3:0, 1:3, and 3:1 in the first trimester of the present campaign). In the first three encounters, Sassuolo were guided by Di Francesco, the last brightest team’s ideologist. While Empoli were relegated to the Serie B and progressed back, the ‘Neroverdi’ were appointed the talented De Zerbi. In the last season, Sassuolo nearly drowned and were managed by the present Empoli’s coach Iachini in the end. Empoli’s former boss Andreazzoli was blamed for the missed goals but under Iachini, the ‘Azzurri’ started to leak even more. Eventually, Empoli feature worst defense (45 goals allowed) and find themselves in the relegation zone.
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Sassuolo had a blistering start to the season and sat among top-five for some time. De Zerbi and his men play bright combinational football that builds on possession. The slipups are attributed to the quality of the squad. Sassuolo missed only nine goals less than their visitors did, but they take the comfortable eleventh line, boasting twelve points more. All Empoli’s wins were gained at home (4-2-6), three of those were registered when Iachini started his reign. An interesting clash is expected on Sunday, as Sassuolo conceded in just four trips (3-4-4). In our view, the match will see many goals.
It’s not about the squad issues, though Iachini should be concerned with the loss of Polvani, Capezzi, and La Gumina. De Zerbi is less vulnerable here, as only Marlon is questionable. Unlike his predecessor, De Zerbi rotates successfully. Sassuolo are more likely to succeed, but Empoli’s great motivation to escape relegation will make them play higher. Iachini’s defense cannot ensure goal safety (the ‘Azzurri’ allowed in each of the last eleven home rounds), while the low center makes it more difficult to score. There’s talk of Empoli’s management’s willingness to return the fired boss under whom the team were victorious over all Serie B sides and were objectively one level above all the contenders – Iachini has seemingly exhausted the management’s trust. It’s all in the ‘Azzurri’’s hands now, Krunic and Caputo did not secure comeback to be relegated again, attacking not bad at this.
We are not sure if the hosts manage to win and change the history, as the last draws against Cagliari (2:2) and Chievo (2:2), same as the loss to Genoa (1:3), speak for themselves. Sassuolo were goalless thrice in the calendar year, but they competed with Napoli (0:2 in the cup fixture), Internazionale (0:0), and Juventus (0:3). They were blatantly unlucky against the Milan outfit, whereas VAR was in place when they clashed with the ‘Old Lady’. Of course, Juve could hardly afford another slipup after their cup defeat and the 3:3 draw against Parma. The fact remains that Sassuolo also dropped points and are keen on attaining those in the coming trip. We predict a goal-exchange, but none of the opponents will be fine with a stalemate tomorrow. There is no point in defining favorites – both teams make many mistakes, so, one side will surely turn more successful.
Prediction for the match: Both teams to score & Over 2.5 goals.
