Empoli vs AC Milan prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-01-06 11:30.
A goalless draw at Cagliari last time out extended Empoli’s Serie A (SA) tally of non-scoring matches to a league-high 11, though they at least entered 2024 within a point of safety. Given their offensive struggles, it’s perhaps a positive sign that they meet AC Milan here, as they've surprisingly scored in seven consecutive home H2Hs, albeit failing to register a single win during the run (D3, L4).
Even that record may not be enough of a confidence booster for Empoli, as Aurelio Andreazzoli’s side have only scored five home league goals this term, with three of those coming in one match! Given six of their nine SA home matches saw them fail to score, it’s hardly surprising then that the Tuscany based side currently possess the league’s worst home record (W1, D2, L6). They’ll be hoping 2024 brings about some better luck too, after they ended 2023 with the second-most losses (20) throughout the whole of the calendar year in Europe’s traditional top-five leagues.
Visiting Milan celebrated back-to-back victories after demolishing Cagliari 4-1 in Coppa Italia action on Tuesday, which followed their tight 1-0 victory over Sassuolo. That means that Stefano Pioli’s side are now on a five-game unbeaten run across all competitions even if their injury-crisis is far from over, with their squad now looking even thinner after Ismael Bennacer and Samuel Chukwueze departed for the African Cup of Nations.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as the mood in Milan camp improved after star attacker Rafael Leao, who was jeered by some supporters during their last league win, received support from the famous Curva Sud stand. They now travel south with a clear goal in their minds – to end their current four game winless streak on the road in SA (D3, L1), during which Milan have conceded at least twice in each outing.
Key battle: Struggling offensively, Empoli will once again rely on goalkeeper Elia Caprile who saved a penalty last time out. He’ll be trying to stop Milan’s red-hot Luka Jović who scored twice in their midweek cup game and has five goals across his last six appearances.
Hot stat: Seven of Milan’s nine away SA matches have seen both teams to score this term – a joint-league high tally.