Venezia vs Empoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2025-01-03 14:00.
[p]Venezia’s three-game unbeaten run (W1, D2) was ended by Napoli in their final game of 2024 (L 1-0), leaving them inside the relegation zone and three points adrift of safety. The Winged Lions therefore face huge challenges in the new year as they look to avoid immediate relegation back to Serie B – a fate that followed their last two top-flight campaigns – but perhaps opening 2025 with a fixture against Empoli is the perfect way to get back on track as they’ve never lost a Serie A H2H  (W2, D2).[/p]
[p]Home field advantage is as important to Venezia as any team in the Italian top-flight, as they’ve won ten of their 13 points in this league campaign at Stadio Pierluigi Penzo. That includes a 2-1 win over Cagliari before Christmas, giving them the chance to post consecutive home victories in Serie A for the first time since January 2000.[/p]
[p]Mid-table Empoli were also beaten at the weekend, with the 2-1 reverse to Genoa their fourth league defeat in their last five games (W1) and a third in succession. Consequently, the Azzurri enter the round just five points clear of the drop zone despite boasting a defensive record that only six teams in the division can better (GA: 21) – all of whom sit inside the top-eight![/p]
[p]Attack is therefore where they’re lacking, but hitting the road has tended to help on that front as 14 of the 17 Serie A goals they’ve scored this season have come in away matches. That’s helped them to a solid record in the league as visitors this term (W3, D3, L3), with all three defeats also coming against sides in the top-eight.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: After being dropped to the bench against Napoli, Joel Pohjanpalo could be in line for a recall as he has scored three of his four goals this season on home soil, with all three helping his side to a win (W2). Opposite number Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty before scoring a consolation in Empoli’s defeat to Genoa last time out, though each of his five other league goals this term came on the road.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Empoli have conceded before half-time in a joint-league low five of their 18 league games this season.[/p]
[p]Written by Sridhar B[/p]