Udinese vs Empoli Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Udinese have endured an inconsistent run of form as they sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table ahead of now facing an Empoli side hovering just above the bottom three and the danger zone.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th February, 2025: UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
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+
Udinese Team News: Still no Okoye
First-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is unavailable for Udinese this weekend as he deals with a wrist injury. Centre-back Isaak Toure is also sidelined for the Friulians, whilst former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis is a doubt due to a calf issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Solet, Kamara; Karlstrom, Lovric; Atta, Thauvin, Ekkelenkamp; Lucca
Unavailable: Okoye (Injured), Toure (Injured)
Questionable: Davis (Injured)
Empoli Team News: Marianucci suspension
Empoli are without defender Luca Marianucci for this weekend as he is missing through suspension. They also have some key injury absentees such as former Roma forward Ola Solbakken and former Monaco forward Pietro Pellegri.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; De Sciglio, Goglichidze, Viti; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Colombo
Unavailable: Marianucci (Suspended), Sazonov (Injured), Viti (Injured), Haas (Injured), Solbakken (Injured), Pellegri (Injured)
Questionable: Ebuehi (Injured), Ismajli (Injured), Fazzini (Injured), Anjorin (Injured)
Udinese vs Empoli Prediction
Under the management of former Legia Warsaw boss Kosta Runjaic, Udinese have been much-improved throughout this campaign and also entertaining to watch. The Friulians’ 24 matches so far this season have consisted of 66 goals as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top-half. They now face an Empoli side that had started the campaign well but their 2-0 defeat at home to AC Milan in Florence last weekend means they are now winless in their last nine matches and have managed just one win inside 90 minutes in their last 14 matches across all competitions. Given their form, as well as their home advantage, siding with Udinese is the way to go for this one.
Udinese vs Empoli Tip: Udinese to win
