Empoli take on the visitors Udinese in the round 13 match of Italian Serie A. The match will be played on Monday, November 25th at Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli).
Empoli have modest ambitions, with survival in Serie A being their primary goal each season. Last season, they barely escaped relegation, finishing with 36 points, just one ahead of Frosinone in 17th place. Determined to improve, they appointed Roberto D'Aversa as head coach over the summer. While it hasn't been a dramatic turnaround, Empoli has made progress, winning three matches and boasting a respectable 15 points from 12 games. Their current goal difference of 9-10 reflects their solid, if unspectacular, performances. Going into the international break, they sit in 10th place, which is a commendable position for a club of their stature.
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Udinese continues their managerial carousel. The Zebras have seen frequent managerial changes in recent years. Last season, they earned 37 points, narrowly outperforming Empoli and finishing in 15th place. This summer, they brought in German-born manager Kosta Runjaić, who had shown promise in Poland before making the move to Italy. Runjaić's tenure started brightly, with Udinese winning their Coppa Italia opener and collecting 10 points from their first four Serie A matches, including a draw against Bologna and a win over Lazio. They followed this with clean-sheet victories over Lecce and Cagliari. However, their momentum has faltered, with losses in all their subsequent matches, leaving them in 9th place at the break — a position just outside the European qualification spots.
Udinese has had the upper hand in recent meetings, remaining unbeaten in their last five encounters against Empoli. This includes two home wins and three draws, including both fixtures last season. This matchup is finely balanced, and bookmakers consider it a toss-up. However, Empoli’s recent form and home advantage give them a slight edge. Empoli's defensive discipline has been key, and their ability to grind out results makes them tough to beat at home. Udinese's early-season form showed promise, but their recent slump suggests vulnerabilities, particularly in away games. Watch for Nicolo Cambiaghi for Empoli, whose creativity can unlock Udinese’s defense, and Lazar Samardžić for Udinese, who remains their primary playmaker.
Prediction for the match: Empoli to win with a draw no bet option.
