Roma vs Empoli Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
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Daniele De Rossi needs to prove his early stint in Rome was not a flash in the pan and that didn’t start well as they were held to a 0-0 draw to Cagliari. Empoli, on the other hand, shared a really frustrating and underwhelming goalless draw against Monza last weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 25th August, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 10:45am
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+
ROMA PREVIEW: MYTH OR TRUTH
In mid-January, Daniele De Rossi replaced Jose Mourinho in the Giallorossi dugout and he spent a couple of months injecting a new and positive energy as they rose up the table but their season quite badly fizzled out after the March international break and they are now in a position where De Rossi, in charge on a permanent basis, has to once again prove his managerial credentials.
The Romans began the season by travelling to Sardinia and being held to likely strugglers Cagliari last weekend. In what was a goalless draw at the Sardegna Arena, Roma could only manage three shots on target on the island.
EMPOLI PREVIEW: FRUSTRATION IN FLORENCE
Last season, Empoli burned through two managers in Paolo Zanetti and the returning Aurelio Andreazzoli before the appointment of the so-called Serie A miracle worker Davide Nicola, who claimed another great escape against all odds on the final day of the season after doing the same at Crotone and Salernitana previously.
Nicola has since departed for the aforementioned Cagliari but Empoli appear to still be playing a similar style of football under the management of former Benevento and Lecce coach Roberto D’Aversa as they shared a goalless draw against Monza on the opening day of the season in which there were only three shots on target in the whole game.
ROMA TEAM NEWS: DYBALA FUTURE STILL IN QUESTION
After dealing with long-term absentees throughout last season, the Romans have no injury concerns or suspension issues so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend.
Daniele De Rossi’s biggest issue is dealing with the future of Argentina international Paulo Dybala, who is expected to depart for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Qadsiah.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Tasende; Le Fee, Cristante; Matias Soule, Pellegrini, Zalewski; Dovbyk
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI TEAM NEWS: POTENTIALLY UNCHANGED
The visitors travel to the capital city this weekend with a couple of injury concerns as the only absentees remain from last week with Samuele Perisan and Tyronne Ebuehi.
Aside from those absentees, though, Empoli have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues so will be able to name an unchanged eleven for this one.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Devis Vasquez; Walukiewicz, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Fazzini, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella; Colombo, Esposito
UNAVAILABLE: Ebuehi (Injured), Perisan (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ROMA VS EMPOLI PREDICTION
Daniele De Rossi is already under pressure to perform this season, despite his status of a club legend that will forever be untouched. Empoli will travel to the Stadio Olimpico with a gameplan to halt and limit what has already become a stodgy attacking process under De Rossi in Rome. Roma may well come out on top against a poor side and they are expected to do so but it is unlikely to be overly convincing or a thriller for the neutral.
ROMA VS EMPOLI TIP: ROMA TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
