Empoli vs Cagliari Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Empoli vs Cagliari on and what time does it start? Empoli vs Cagliari will take place on Sunday 3rd March, 2024 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Empoli vs Cagliari? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Empoli vs Cagliari on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Empoli vs Cagliari
Where can I stream Empoli vs Cagliari in the UK? If Empoli vs Cagliari is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
EMPOLI
It had been a generally underwhelming campaign for Empoli with both Paolo Zanetti and Aurelio Andreazzoli struggling to instil any quality or consistency in the Florence-based side and they did appear, alongside Salernitana, destined for relegation but the appointment of miracle worker Davide Nicola is now having the desired effect.
They are one of the in-form teams in Serie A and have the fifth best record in the league since Nicola’s appointment in mid-January. They come into this one on the back of a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Sassuolo in their most recent outing, last weekend, with a 94th minute winning goal scored by Simone Bastoni.
CAGLIARI
Following promotion to the top-flight last season after winning the Serie B playoffs with a defeat of Bari, Cagliari have struggled for much of this campaign as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the bottom three and the relegation places with just four victories in their 26 matches so far this season.
The Sardinians come into this one on the back of back-to-back 1-1 draws against Udinese and defending champions Napoli, scoring a last minute equaliser against the Neapolitans with a strike from Zito Luvumbo. They are now winless in their last six matches in Serie A as they appear destined for the drop.
THE TEAM NEWS
EMPOLI
Empoli are only dealing with one injury absentee for this weekend with Francesco Caputo unavailable, whilst Alberto Grassi, Tyronne Ebuehi and Gabriele Gaetano are all doubts, too.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Cancellieri, Marin, Maleh, Cacace; Kovalenko, Cambiaghi; Cerri
UNAVAILABLE: Caputo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Grassi (Injured), Ebuehi (Injured), Gaetano (Injured)
CAGLIARI
Cagliari will be without the likes of Marko Rog, Leonardo Pavoletti and Marco Mancosu for this one, whilst Pantelis Hatzidiakos is also a doubt for the Sardinians.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Scuffet; Nandez, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Jankto, Makoumbou, Deiola, Luvumbo; Gaetano; Lapadula
UNAVAILABLE: Pavoletti (Injured), Mancosu (Injured), Rog (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Hatzidiakos (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
As mentioned, one has to pretty much forget the current league position as Davide Nicola has Empoli playing as one of the best teams in Serie A. The home team had been low-scoring but are now capable of getting at anyone in the division. Cagliari are really struggling after a mini improvement in the autumn with Claudio Ranieri coming under pressure for his job. Given their form, as well as home advantage, Empoli are the overwhelming favourites for this one.
TIP: EMPOLI TO WIN
