Empoli vs Como prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-11-03 17:30.
[p]Having been beaten 3-0 by Inter in midweek, Empoli are now on a five-game winless run in Serie A (D2, L3), one of the worst such runs in the division. Even with an early red card in that loss, Roberto D’Aversa’s side preserved their record of not being behind at the break so far this term, but they also extended an unwanted streak of not winning a game unless they’ve been leading at the midway point (D4, L3).[/p]
[p]Early goals are evidently important for the Azzurri, but scoring them at any time remains a problem. Only Lecce have scored fewer than their seven in the league, and as Empoli were the lowest scorers in Serie A last year as they narrowly avoided relegation, it’s a long-standing problem that threatens to undermine a solid rearguard which has just conceded just nine goals in the top-flight.[/p]
[p]Como were also thumped on home soil in midweek, losing 5-1 to Lazio and racking up their fifth league defeat of the campaign (W2, D3). It’s now been over a month since the newly-promoted outfit last won in the top-flight (D1, L3), so a turnaround is needed if they’re to keep themselves above the drop zone.[/p]
[p]Unlike Empoli, Cesc Fà bregas’ side undoubtedly need to shore things up at the back if they’re to be successful in their quest to stave off relegation. Pre-round, only Verona (22) have conceded more than Como’s 21 goals this term, while they’re also yet to keep a clean sheet and have shipped 2+ goals in six of their ten league games![/p]
[p]Key battle: Goalkeeper Devis Vásquez has made 2+ saves in seven of Empoli’s first ten league games this season and subsequently kept four clean sheets. Ex-Empoli striker Patrick Cutrone will provide stiff opposition as he has averaged over 2.5 shots at goal per game this term, with three of his four goals coming in the second half.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: None of the last four H2Hs between these sides has seen both sides on the scoresheet.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]