Empoli vs Udinese Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Italian Serie A
THE FACTS
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When is Empoli vs Udinese on and what time does it start? Empoli vs Udinese will take place on Friday 6th October, 2023 - 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Empoli vs Udinese? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Empoli vs Udinese 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 Udinese
Where can I stream Empoli vs Udinese in the UK? If Empoli vs Udinese is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
EMPOLI
After gaining promotion to Serie A in 2021, Empoli have spent two seasons finishing 14th in the Italian top-flight. They lost their manager, Alessio Dionisi, but spent a mid-table campaign with Aurelio Andreazzoli before Paolo Zanetti replaced Andreazzoli. After a bad start to the season under Zanetti, he was once again replaced by Andreazzoli.
The 69-year-old has spent time with Ternana since leaving Empoli in 2023 and ‘Gli Azzurri’ have managed a much-needed win since his return against Salernitana. However, apart from that victory, they have suffered six defeats as they remain firmly in the bottom three and the relegation places ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
UDINESE
Ever since winning six successive matches in the early stages of last season, Udinese have struggled badly in Italy’s top-flight. The Friulians have now won just five of their last 37 Serie A matches as the Pozzo family come under pressure in Italy’s north east, as well as Andrea Sottil who just about remains in charge.
They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the bottom three and the relegation places but they are winless in their opening seven matches. The home team come into this on the back of a 2-2 draw with newly-promoted Genoa, albeit that will be viewed as a point gained given they required a 91st minute equaliser.
THE TEAM NEWS
EMPOLI
Aurelio Andreazzoli will be without several players, especially in defence, with the likes if Giuseppe Pezzella and Bartosz Bereszynsi out injured and Liberato Cacace a doubt for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Berisha; Ebuehi, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Cacace; Ranocchia; Marin, Maleh; Baldanzi; Caputo, Cambiaghi
UNAVAILABLE: Pezzella (Injured), Bereszynski (Injured), Caprile (Injured), Maldini (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Cacace (Injured)
UDINESE
Udinese have a plethora of absentees with Sandi Lovric suspended and the likes of Enzo Ebosse, Brenner, Adam Masina, Kingsley Ehizibue and Gerard Deulofeu all out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Silvestri; Perez, Bijol, Kristensen; Ebosele, Pereyra, Walace, Ferreira, Kamara; Isaac, Lucca
UNAVAILABLE: Lovric (Suspended), Ebosse (Injured), Brenner (Injured), Masina (Injured), Deulofeu (Injured), Ehizibue (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
These are two sides that are expected to struggle throughout this season. They have both endured difficult calendar year’s so far and are two of the bottom four ahead of this weekend’s round. Empoli have slightly improved in their performances since the return of Aurelio Andreazzoli but they were hammered 3-0 by Bologna the other day as they regress. Udinese are winless and are unlikely to take the game to Empoli and a low-scoring encounter, regardless of the match result, looks likely for this one in Florence.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
