Torino will be welcoming Empoli on Thursday evening as they are looking for a victory while will move them closer to the top half of the Serie A standings.
While the hosts are capable of moving ahead of their opponents, Empoli know that a victory at the Olympic Grande Torino Stadium can move them ahead of some clubs in the division.
It is easy to assume that Torino have been well of the pace this season especially when you see them in the 13th position in the standings.
However, each of their seven defeats have been by a margin of one goal, and a run of three victories in six matches show that they are ready to make a move up the table.
The 1-0 defeat to Roma on Sunday came as a blow – the fourth 1-0 reverse on the road in succession – but they are still performing above their current standing.
The challenge remains getting Andrea Belotti’s side back on track consistently, the long-time laeding marksman having scored just twice in 479 minutes of league football this campaign.
If Andrea can rediscover his form and the defense maintain the secon-best record in the division, there is scope for them to break into the top 10 sooner rather than later.
Empoli will surely continue to be delighted with their efforts this season, with their Saturday’s victory over Fiorentina keeping them away from the relagation zone.
Head coach Aurelio Andreazzoli’s only focus at the start of the campaign would have been to remain in the league, but they have already built the foundation for an easy second half of the year.
While any kind of victory over Fiorentina was going to be beneficial to propel them forward, scoring in the final three minutes of normal time was the best way to register a second home win in eight attempts.
Andrea Pinamonti currently has five goals from his 13 appearances in Serie A this term, four of which have been scored since October 23.
Torino vs Empoli head to head
The pair have had 24 encounters previously and Empoli leads with victories across all competitions, havin won 8 matches while Torino have won 6. They have had ten draws. Empoli have scored 21 goals and conceded 19. In their last five, Empoli have won two, Torino one withtwo draws.
Empoli 2-1 Torino 15/05/16
Torino 0-0 Empoli 18/09/16
Empoli 1-1 Torino 05/02/17
Torino 3-0 Empoli 26/12/18
Empoli 4-1 Torino 19/05/19
Torino latest home form
Torino are currently in good form at home, having registered three consecutive victories in their most recent three matches at home. They defeated Genoa, Sampdoria and Udinese. In their last five, they have three wins, one draw and one loss all in the Serie A, scoring 9 goals and conceding 5.
Torino 1-1 Lazio 23/09/21
Torino 0-1 Juventus 02/10/21
Torino 3-2 Genoa 22/10/21
Torino 3-0 Sampdoria 30/10/21
Torino 2-1 Udinese 22/11/21
Torino latest away form
Unlike at home, Torino are currently in very low form on the road, having registered they last victory away in September where they narrowly defeated Sassuolo 1-0. They have lost their last four consecutive matches on the back of a 1-1 draw with Venezia late in September.
Venezia 1-1 Torino 27/09/21
Napoli 1-0 Torino 17/10/21
AC Milan 1-0 Torino 26/10/21
Spezia 1-0 Torino 06/11/21
Roma 1-0 Torino 28/11/21
Empoli latest home form
Despite having recently recorded poor results, Empoli are seemingly on an upturn of form at home, as they won thier last match on the home turf, a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on the back of two draws. In their last five, won one, drawn two and lost two.
Empoli 1-4 Atalanta 17/10/21
Empoli 0-2 Inter Milan 27/10/21
Empoli 2-2 Genoa 05/11/21
Empoli 1-1 Perugia 13/11/21
Empoli 2-1 Fiorentina 27/11/21
Empoli latest away form
Empoli lost their last match away 2-1 to Verona late in Novermber, which maybe a downturn in form if they fail to record good results in their coming fixture. They had howevr recorded two victories before that. In their last five away, they have won three and lost one, scoring 8 goals and conceding 7.
Cagliari 0-2 Empoli 22/09/21
Roma 2-0 Empoli 03/10/21
Salernitana 2-4 Empoli 23/10/21
Sassuolo 1-2 Empoli 31/10/21
Verona 2-1 Empoli 22/11/21
Torino news
Juric is likely to make a few changes in the squad, with Koffi Djidji and Beloti having sustained injuries during the Roma game.
David Zima and Antonio Sanabria are pushing for inclusion in the starting XI, with Ola Aina likely to be brought back at the left wing-back after remaining in the bench at the weekend.
Empoli news
Filippo Bandinelli is likely to be recalled in the starting lineup after coming of the bench to score in the Fiorentina game, where he scored at the 87th minute.
Patrick Cutrone faces a challenge of retaining his place in the attack, but Lorenzo Toneli could keep his spot in the middle of the defense.
Prediction and Odds
With the two teams being in a relatively good form, this could be challenging game with a lot of possibilities.
However, there is a feeling that Torino will be able to use the chance of playing at home and try to take the victory, pocketing all the three points. There is however chance of the game finishing level.
Odds: 1 1.78 X 2.54 2 2.95
Probable outcomes
Torino 1-0 Empoli
Torino 2-0 Empoli
Torino 2-1 Empoli
Torino 3-2 Empoli
Torino 2-2 Empoli
