Empoli vs Udinese prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-11-24 17:30.
[p]After an unbeaten six-match start to their Serie A season (W2, D4), Empoli’s form has fallen away since the start of October, with their only victory in that time coming over newly-promoted Como (D2, L3). As a result, Roberto D’Aversa’s men spent the international break closer to the drop zone than the European places in terms of points, yet their top-half standing heading into the weekend is a clear sign of progress from last season’s struggles.[/p]
[p]An issue they have carried over is a lack of potency in front of goal, with only strugglers Lecce (five) netting fewer than their nine in Serie A this term. Empoli’s winner against Como was their first and so far only goal on their own turf this campaign, placing even greater strain on a rearguard that’s conceded just ten times in 12 league matches – only Juventus and Napoli can better that record.[/p]
[p]Opponents Udinese sit a point and a place above Empoli in the Serie A table, but the international break came at a good time for them after a run of three successive defeats. As the last two of them came against title-challenging Atalanta and Juventus, concern may not be too widespread in the visitors’ camp, even if one more defeat would mark their worst run of form since August 2023 (L5).[/p]
[p]Thankfully for boss Kosta Runjaić, this is a fixture his side have enjoyed in recent years, going unbeaten in each of the last five H2Hs (W2, D3). An extension to that run would mark their longest-ever unbeaten Serie A streak in this fixture, but another draw certainly seems unlikely given that Udinese are the only side to have both won and lost at least five Serie A matches this season (W5, D1, L6).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: After assisting Pietro Pellegri’s opener for Empoli against Lecce earlier this month, Liberato Cacace went on to set up two goals for New Zealand in their 8-1 trouncing of Vanuatu. He may come up against Florian Thauvin, who has directly contributed to eight goals so far this season (G4, A4) – just three shy of his total for the whole of 2023/24.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Empoli have conceded just twice before half-time in Serie A this season – the best such record in the league.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]