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THE FACTS
When is Monza vs Empoli on and what time does it start? Monza vs Empoli will take place on Saturday 26th August, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Monza vs Empoli? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Monza vs Empoli on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to televise Serie A matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Monza vs Empoli
Where can I stream Monza vs Empoli in the UK? If Monza vs Empoli is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
MONZA
Monza gained promotion back to Serie A for the first time ever in 2022 and I Biancorossi comfortably survived in mid-table and will now seek to kick on into the top-half this time around with aspirations of a top seven finish and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification not entirely wild. With Fininvest as their owners, Paolo Berlusconi as their honorary president and clear involvement from Silvio Berlusconi, it is hardly the fairytale it may seem, though.
Despite that, their rise remains an impressive one and, despite the loss of Carlos Augusto to Internazionale, they will remain a team that should be upwardly mobile 2023/24 campaign. They began their competitive season with a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Reggiana and followed that up by being comfortably defeated at San Siro by Inter, losing by two goals to nil.
EMPOLI
Empoli gained promotion back to Serie A in the summer of 2021, under the management of Alessio Dionisi who departed for Sassuolo almost immediately. They have survived quite comfortably with back-to-back 14th placed finishes since their return with Aurelio Andreazzoli and then Paolo Zanetti; the latter remaining in charge ahead of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign.
The Florence-based club began this season with a 2-1 defeat at home to Cittadella in the first round of the Coppa Italia and, as one of the favourites for relegation, will be disappointed to have started the league season with a 1-0 loss at home to Hellas Verona last weekend. A 75th minute strike from Federico Bonazzoli, on debut for Verona, gave Empoli a loss to start the season.
THE TEAM NEWS
MONZA
Raffaele Palladino’s Monza made a bad start to the season but with no injuries or suspensions, Monza are expected to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Di Gregorio; D’Ambrosio, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Colpani, Gagliardini, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Maric, Caprari
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI
Paolo Zanetti’s Empoli have a few injury issues with duo Sebastian Walukiewicz and Jacopo Fazzini injury doubts, whilst new signing Daniel Maldini is definitely out due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Marin, Grassi; Cancellieri, Baldanzi, Gyasi; Caputo
UNAVAILABLE: Maldini (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Fazzini (Injured), Walukiewicz (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
These, on paper, would appear to be two sides that are relatively evenly matched but that isn’t quite the case. Monza, due to their financial capabilities and Silvio Berlusconi’s footballing expertise, will expect to push on and into the top-half this season. Empoli, though, are seemingly on the verge of simply dropping down with a lack of improvement on the pitch last season and in the squad during the summer. Given their home advantage, a double chance bet in favour of Monza looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – MONZA TO WIN OR DRAW