Empoli vs AC Milan prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2022-09-30 18:45.
It took seven Serie A (SA) rounds before Empoli celebrated their first league victory of the season as they beat Bologna 1-0 away in the last round, despite their opponents hitting the woodwork twice (W1, D4, L2). Coach Paolo Zanetti praised his players for winning at the right moment just before the international break, a result which increased the value of their four draws this season and pushed them into the lower midtable.
They now return to the familiar confines of Stadio Carlo Castellani where they’ll look to record their first back-to-back SA wins since December last year. That’ll be no easy feat for a side who’ve only won once at home in 2022, albeit that impressively came against a top-four side in the shape of Napoli (W 3-2), a problem highlighted by just the 17 points they claimed at home last season compared to 24 on their travels.
AC Milan saw their 22-game unbeaten run in the league come to an end as they suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Napoli last time out, a result which saw them drop out of the top four. Their first SA loss since January frustrated coach Stefano Pioli as it came despite a good performance from his side who also hit the crossbar twice and lost the chance to go top of the league.
Now 15 SA away matches without a loss (W10, D5), Milan will expect to get back on track here, although their last away league defeat did also come in Tuscany against Fiorentina last November. Milan’s record at Empoli suggests they are unlikely to falter in this part of the region however, as they are yet to lose a SA game here (W7, D7) while they haven’t lost consecutive SA games since last November.
Players to watch: Empoli captain Filippo Bandinelli scored the winner last time out and has already equalled his two-goal SA tally from last season. A scorer in the last round also, Milan’s Olivier Giroud has converted 17 of his 20-career penalty-kicks, including two this season. He hasn’t failed to score one since 2012!
Hot stat: Nine of the last 11 H2Hs held here saw both teams score, including the last six in a row.