Empoli vs Sassuolo Match Analysis & Prediction
26/11/2023 5:00 pm
Separated by two points and two spots in the Serie A table, Empoli and Sassuolo meet at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday, both aiming to pull further clear of the relegation zone.
After taking over from Paolo Zanetti early in the season, veteran coach Aurelio Andreazzoli had failed to make much of an impact on Empoli’s ailing fortunes before they travelled south to Naples a fortnight ago.
Eventually leading to the departure of Napoli coach Rudi Garcia, Empoli’s 1-0 victory at Stadio Maradona fittingly came out of the blue, as they stunned their fellow Azzurri with a stoppage-time goal from Viktor Kovalenko.
That was enough to lift the Tuscan club out of the relegation zone after a terrible start to the 2023-24 campaign, in which they have lost four of their six home matches while scoring just once at Stadio Castellani.
Although the battled back for a 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Salernitana shortly before the international break, one point was oly good enough to move Sassuolo on to a modest tally of 12 points for this season.
Sassuolo’s last league victory – they progressed in the Coppa Italia with a penalty-shootout win over Spezia earlier this month – came in late September, when they upset Scudetto favourites Inter Milan at San Siro.
That surprise win represents Sassuolo’s only win from their last 10 Serie A away matches stretching back to last season, and they have also conceded more goals on their travels this calender year than any other side – 33 in 16 games, at an average of 2.1 per match.
Kristian Thorstvedt’s second-half brace saved them on home turf last time out, but the Neroverdi have dropped the joing-most points after leading away from home (five) ahead of their trip to Tuscany this weekend, when defeat would see them slip below their opponents in the Serie A table.
Empoli vs. Sassuolo Head to head
In the 24 previous meetings between these two teams, Empoli have claimed eight victories while Sassuolo have won 13, and they have drawn in three. Sassuolo have scored 40 goals and conceded 31 in the process.
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31/10/2021Sassuolo1Empoli2Serie A
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09/01/2022Empoli1Sassuolo5Serie A
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05/11/2022Empoli1Sassuolo0Serie A
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23/12/2022Empoli2Sassuolo1Club Friendlies
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30/04/2023Sassuolo2Empoli1Serie A
Empoli Team News
As Tommaso Baldanzi’s presence is in doubt for Empoli due to an ankle injury, Andreazzoli should select Nicolo Cambiaghi and Matteo Cancellieri behind lone striker Francesco Caputo this weekend.
Full-back Giuseppe Pezzella is the hosts’ only confirmed absentee, so New Zealand international Liberato Cacace continue on the left side of their back four, while Mattia Destro may also be ruled out by a muscular problem.
Empoli's Last 5 Matches
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06/10/2023Empoli0Udinese0Serie A
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23/10/2023Fiorentina0Empoli2Serie A
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30/10/2023Empoli0Atalanta3Serie A
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06/11/2023Frosinone2Empoli1Serie A
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12/11/2023Napoli0Empoli1Serie A
Sassuolo Team News
Sassuolo midfielder Matheus Henrique has recovered from a hamstring injury and could resume his role in midfield, alongside Daniel Boloca.
Pedro Obiang and ACL victim Agustin Alvarez would therefore be the only men unavailable to Alessio Dionisi.
Sassuolo's Last 5 Matches
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21/10/2023Sassuolo0Lazio2Serie A
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28/10/2023Sassuolo1Bologna1Serie A
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02/11/2023Sassuolo(P)0Spezia0Coppa Italia
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06/11/2023Torino2Sassuolo1Serie A
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10/11/2023Sassuolo2Salernitana2Serie A
Empoli vs. Sassuolo: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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