Empoli vs Udinese
Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 22 January 2017
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli).
Empoli is slowly rising away from the bottom three relegation area after being unbeaten in four of their last five matches. The team is currently in the 17th spot of the 20-team Italian top flight table, eight points ahead of 18th-place team Palermo.
In their most recent Serie A game held last Sunday, the Azzurri was able to hold another middling side, Sampdoria, to a 0-0 draw on the road at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium, as per Football Italia.
Head coach Giovanni Martusciello's almost scored a goal in the contest but Georgian striker Levan Mchedlidze's penalty kick off a foul by Sampdoria captain Angelo Palombo was saved by goalkeeper Christian Puggioni in the 31st minute.
Meanwhile, Udinese has been reeling at the moment with three consecutive winless performance. The team is presently settled in the 11th place in the overall standings, 15 points above the bottom three relegation zone and 12 points below the final Europa League qualifying berth for next season temporarily held by fifth-running team AC Milan.
Bianconeri Friuliani is coming off a tough 0-1 loss to contending squad AS Roma at their home ground of Dacia Arena last Sunday, BBC Sport reported.
Head coach Luigi Delneri's side were not able to score any goals in the contest as the team is having problems with their offense lately. Udinese was able to score only one goal in their last three games.
Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan netted the lone goal of the match in the 12th minute to hand Udinese their ninth loss of the season.
Empoli vs Udinese: Head-to-head statistics
Empoli have a record of W4-D5-L11 in their past 20 home games against teams ranked above them in the table.
Udinese have a record of W9-D4-L7 in their past 20 away games against teams ranked below them in the table.
Udinese have won four of the last six Serie A clashes against Empoli (D1 L1).
The Zebrette have lost only four of the 21 total meetings in the top flight versus the Tuscans (W9 D8 L4).
Empoli are winless at home against Udinese in five Serie A games (D3 L2).
However, the Azzurri have lost only once in the last five match-days (W2 D2 L1), keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Empoli vs Udinese: Prediction
Given that both teams have been in mixed form, a draw certainly appears to be on the cards here. Udinese will be eager to stop the rot and avoid making it a third straight loss. Empoli will be hoping to put on a good show in front of their fans and keep grinding out point after point to put more distance between themselves and the bottom three.
Don’t expect fireworks from this one – rather it could be a gritty affair from start to finish as these sides engage in a tactical battle to secure at least a point to further their respective objectives.
Empoli vs Udinese: Betting tips
Under 2.5 goals at 4/7 (1.57)
DRAW at 11/5 (3.20).
