Cagliari vs Empoli Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
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Davide Nicola is already under pressure at Cagliari after fans made their feelings known last week as the Sardinians now face an Empoli side that have made a surprisingly bright start to the campaign.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 20th September, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
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+
CAGLIARI PREVIEW: SARDINIANS STRUGGLING
Davide Nicola has become known as the ‘miracle worker’ in Italian football with ‘great escapes’ performed at Crotone, Salernitana and then Empoli last season. However, this time he has the task of being able to perform from the start of a season and supporters are already being heavily critical of the experienced coach.
The Sardinians come into this one on the back of a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Napoli in their most recent outing at the weekend. Cagliari have collected two points so far this season with two defeats in their other matches. They have also failed to score since a 1-1 draw with Roma on the opening day of the campaign.
EMPOLI PREVIEW: FLOURISHING IN FLORENCE
As mentioned, following the sackings of both Paolo Zanetti and then the returning Aurelio Andreazzoli, Davide Nicola managed to lead Empoli to survival on the final day of last season. This time around, former Lecce and Benevento boss Roberto D’Aversa is at the helm and the Florence-based club are overperforming their pre-season expectations.
As a supposed tactical disciple of Olympique de Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi, it is somewhat a surprise to see D’Aversa preferring a more reactive and defensive style of football. That style did earn them a creditable goalless draw against Juventus last weekend, though, and that means they remain unbeaten after four matches.
CAGLIARI TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
Cagliari and Davide Nicola are blessed to be coming into this weekend with a fully fit and available squad with no injury concerns or suspension issues for the hosts.
That means Nicola would be able to name an unchanged side for what is a crucial game but the poor form at the start of this season means that changes are expected.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Scuffet; Zappa, Yerry Mina, Luperto; Azzi, Marin, Deiola, Augello; Luvumbo, Gaetano; Piccoli
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI TEAM NEWS: ZURKOWSKI NEARING RETURN
Crucial to Empoli’s survival last season, midfielder Szymon Zurkowski has been out injured throughout the campaign but he is nearing a return for this weekend.
As well as Zurkowski, both Jacopo Fazzini and Samuele Perisan could now play but Saba Sazonov and Tyronne Ebuehi remain sidelined for the visitors.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Goglichdze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Pezzella; Esposito, Maleh; Colombo
UNAVAILABLE: Ebuehi (Injured), Sazonov (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Perisan (Injured), Zurkowski (Injured), Fazzini (Injured)
CAGLIARI VS EMPOLI PREDICTION
Claudio Ranieri retired from management when he guided Cagliari to safety last season, following promotion from Serie B a season prior. However, the home team may sound the alarm if things continue in this manner. They take on an Empoli side that have made themselves extremely difficult to beat. Regardless of which, or even if any, side come(s) out on top in this one, a low-scoring encounter is to be expected.
CAGLIARI VS EMPOLI TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
