Eighth-placed Empoli and 14th-placed Spezia, separated by just one place and a single point in the Serie A standings, will face off at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday afternoon with kickoff at 4 pm.
Completely different in all aspects, the home side continued their winless run with derby defeat last week while their visitors have improved markedly since the year’s turn to clear themselves of danger.
Even a fortnight out of the firing line failed to provide April with the fresh start they desperately needed. Empoli’s agonizing winless run in Serie A continued with a 1-0 loss to Fiorentina in the Derby dell’Arno.
The Tuscan rivals took advantage of Sebastiano Luperto’s 77th-minute red card—the defender picking up his second booking after fouling Juventus loanee Gonzalo Rodriguez—as Nicolas Gonzalez converted a free-kick proved to be the game-winner.
As a result, strugglers Empoli are currently on the longest streak without victory of any club in the top five European leagues, drawing and losing seven times each since their last success: a 1-0 win away at Napoli on December 16th.
After struggling early on in the season, hosts Spezia have rallied recently and won their ninth match last Saturday- edging out Venezia at Stadio Alberto Picco.
Empoli vs Spezia Head to Head
Both sides have nine games against each other with each side taking two wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Fiorentina 1-0 Empoli
- Empoli 1-1 Hellas Verona
- Milan 1-0 Empoli
- Genoa 0-0 Empoli
- Empoli 2-3 Juventus
Away
- Spezia 1-0 Venezia
- Sassuolo 4-1 Spezia
- Spezia 2-0 Cagliari
- Juventus 1-0 Spezia
- Bologna 2-1 Spezia
Empoli Team News
As they look to end their long win-free streak, Empoli’s defense has been disrupted by a season-ending injury to Lorenzo Tonelli, who was hurt in Saturday’s match against Fiorentina and subsequent tests confirmed a torn ACL.
Spezia Team News
Meanwhile, Thiago Motta should be able to name an unchanged squad for the trip to Spezia, as only midfielders Mehdi Bourabia, Leo Sena, and Aimar Sher are unavailable.
However, suppose manager Motta leans toward more of a traditional lone striker to start the game instead of Viktor Kovalenko. In that case, Albanian center-forward Rey Manaj could be included from the start.
Prediction and Odds
Saturday could see Spezia take advantage of their troubles at the back – now exacerbated by injury and suspension – to secure a score draw at the Castellani.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 2.5
