Lazio vs Empoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-05-11 10:30.
[p]Though this season hasn’t exactly gone to plan for Lazio, the resignation of Maurizio Sarri and subsequent appointment of Igor Tudor has reinvigorated the club. Winning four of his first six games in charge (D1, L1) has helped the Biancocelesti get back into the European qualification places in Serie A and even within reach of the top five and a UEFA Champions League spot, although that remains a long shot. [/p]
[p]Included in the four victories under his tutelage to date, Tudor’s side have won their last three Serie A home games, and could win four on the bounce at Stadio Olimpico for the first time since November 2021 with victory here. If they achieve that, Croatian Tudor will also equal the records of Delio Rossi (2005) and Alfredo Monza (1958) in making the best home start of any new Lazio coach in the post-war era.[/p]
[p]They will fancy their chances of continuing a top-five push against Empoli, with Sunday’s visitors failing to find the back of the net in seven of their last nine Serie A matches. Over the same period – since the beginning of March – no side across Europe’s top five leagues have failed to score in more games.[/p]
[p]It’s for that reason that Davide Nicola’s side are at risk of their three-season stay in Serie A coming to an end, as they begin this third to last match round just two points above the relegation zone on the back of six defeats in those last nine (W2, D1) with Udinese – the side directly below them – next up. And the omens don’t look good for this one, with Gli Azzurri having never won away against Lazio in Serie A (D4, L9).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Four of MatĂas Vecino’s five league goals this season have come in the second half, including his late strike at Monza last weekend. Empoli average the second-most fouls per 90 of any team in Serie A, with loanee Youssef Maleh liable for an average of two per game, picking up 11 yellow cards so far this season.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Lazio have won the last two Serie A H2Hs without conceding but they have never beaten Empoli three times consecutively with a clean sheet.[/p]