Empoli vs Hellas Verona Prediction, Match Preview & Betting Tips, 2025-05-25 20:45:00
With Serie A down to the wire, Empoli faces Hellas Verona on May 25, 2025, at 20:45 CET. Both teams are in the fight to stay in the top league. Empoli sits in 18th place with 31 points and needs a win to climb out of the relegation zone. Hellas Verona, at 15th with 34 points, also has work to do to be safe. The Stadio Carlo Castellani will host this crucial battle as both aim to escape the drop. Verona is struggling, having not won in their last five games, which makes this an urgent call for points. Empoli recently beat Verona 4-1 away and hopes to recreate that magic at home. Referee Daniele Doveri, known for showing an average of 4.2 cards per game, will keep a close watch. Empoli aims to take advantage of their home ground, acquiring six points there this season, while Verona relies on Casper Tengstedt’s scoring knack. Yet, Verona misses midfielder Abdou Harroui due to injury, adding to their woes in attack.
Empoli vs Hellas Verona Prediction & Betting Tips
Empoli seeks to escape relegation with a much-needed win. They come into the match motivated by two key victories, including a remarkable 3-1 win at Monza. Their favorable past encounters with Verona add to their confidence, especially when they’re playing at Stadio Carlo Castellani. This stadium isn’t just familiar; it’s like a lucky charm from past successes. On the other hand, Hellas Verona hasn’t tasted victory in their last five matches, scoring only once in their last four away trips. Empoli’s main striker, Sebastiano Esposito, is in great form, helping tip the odds in their favor. With Empoli’s strong squad and tactical smarts, they seem set for a strong performance.
Recommended Bet | Odds |
---|---|
Empoli to Win | 2.05 |
Empoli vs Hellas Verona Odds
Looking at the odds for this Serie A face-off, Empoli is favored at 2.05 to win, thanks to their recent performances and advantageous position. Exact draw odds aren’t listed, but low scores are anticipated, as both teams haven’t been sharp up front lately. A Verona win would surprise many, likely with odds over 3.50, given their recent poor away form. Betting options favor under 2.5 goals, matching both sides’ offensive struggles. Empoli scores an average of 1.00 goals per game at home, while Verona only manages 0.80 away. Management strategies from both camps lean toward cautious, defense-first methods, supporting an under-goal play, even as Empoli urgently seeks three points.
Market | Odds |
---|---|
Empoli to Win | 2.05 |
Under 2.5 Goals | 1.85 |
Both Teams to Score (Yes) | 1.90 |
Empoli Team Analysis
Empoli Recent Performance
Empoli comes into this clash with fluctuating form, securing two victories amid three losses in their last five games across all competitions. They’ve netted 7 goals while letting in 6, showing they can compete, even with a shaky defense. Important victories like a 3-1 win over Monza and a tight 2-1 triumph over Parma boost their morale. Still, losses to Lazio and Fiorentina exposed some defensive gaps. Their Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Bologna adds to their inconsistency woes.
Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
---|---|---|---|
2025-05-18 | Monza | 1-3 W | Serie A |
2025-05-10 | Parma Calcio 1913 | 2-1 W | Serie A |
2025-05-04 | Lazio | 0-1 L | Serie A |
2025-04-27 | Fiorentina | 1-2 L | Serie A |
2025-04-24 | Bologna | 1-2 L | Coppa Italia |
Empoli Key Players
Crucial players will guide Empoli’s game plan against Hellas Verona. Sebastiano Esposito plays a key role up front, scoring 8 league goals, signaling his significance in make-or-break scoring moments. Goalkeeper Devis Vásquez excels with impressive saves, posting eight clean sheets. Mattia Viti leads defensively, essential for breaking up opponent attacks. In midfield, Liam Henderson directs the flow, crafting chances with deft passing. Emmanuel Gyasi’s energetic all-round play supports both attack and defense, with Giuseppe Pezzella providing aggressive flank support.
Empoli Suspensions & Injuries
Empoli faces a wave of injuries, limiting their roster flexibility and tactical options. Absences in midfield and attack mean they must rely on fewer players, possibly calling up youth team members. However, these young faces might struggle with the lack of Serie A experience, impacting overall performance.
Player | Injury Status | Notes |
---|---|---|
Youssef Maleh | Injured | Midfielder, long-term |
Christian Kouame | Injured | Forward, muscle strain |
Szymon Zurkowski | Injured | Midfielder, unknown date |
Nicolas Haas | Injured | Midfielder, recovery |
Pietro Pellegri | Injured | Forward, long-term |
Saba Sazonov | Injured | Defender, fitness issue |
With no suspensions, Empoli can use key players like Grassi and Henderson centrally to strengthen their midfield. Esposito remains a significant option upfront, alongside Cacace for wide operations. Defensively, they’ll stick to a tested lineup to manage Verona’s challenges while keeping team cohesion intact.
Empoli Tactics and Formation
Empoli is likely to play a 4-3-1-2 formation. This setup uses two strikers supported by a narrow midfield diamond, allowing Devis Vásquez to excel both as a shot-stopper and an initiator of attacks. Fullbacks Pezzella and Cacace are vital for providing width, while midfielders Grassi, Fazzini, and Henderson will balance defense and forward play. Esposito, possibly paired with another striker like Pellegri, remains the pivotal forward. Their strategy relies on a solid defense ready to counter and strike on the break. Set-pieces will be important, leveraging Viti and Marianucci’s aerial abilities.
Hellas Verona Team Analysis
Hellas Verona Recent Performance
Hellas Verona heads into this season-ending fixture without a win in their last five Serie A games. They managed draws against Como and Lecce but lost to Inter, Cagliari, and Roma, revealing defensive weaknesses. In these matches, they scored just twice and conceded five, raising significant concerns, particularly in away games where they only picked up a single draw at Como.
Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
---|---|---|---|
2025-05-18 | Como | 1-1 D | Serie A |
2025-05-11 | Lecce | 1-1 D | Serie A |
2025-05-03 | Inter | 0-1 L | Serie A |
2025-04-28 | Cagliari | 0-2 L | Serie A |
2025-04-19 | Roma | 0-1 L | Serie A |
Hellas Verona Key Players
For Verona, the key players include Lorenzo Montipò, the alert goalkeeper essential for halting Empoli’s attacks. Defenders Daniele Ghilardi and Diego Coppola must work in tandem to ensure solid backline performance. Jackson Tchatchoua anchors the midfield, partnering with the creative Ondrej Duda. Forward movements will rely on the speed and agility of Amin Sarr and Casper Tengstedt, Verona’s leading goal scorer, crucial for making the most of limited opportunities.
Hellas Verona Suspensions & Injuries
Verona’s squad is stretched due to Abdou Harroui’s injury, forcing tactical changes. This absence puts pressure on midfield creativity and increases the demand on those available.
Player | Injury Status | Notes |
---|---|---|
Abdou Harroui | Injured | Midfielder, unknown |
Verona’s forward pairing may need alteration, with defensive strategies adapting to key absences. Their backline might adopt a five-man defense, utilizing players like Coppola and Ghilardi, placing Valentini tactically. Bench options are slim, requiring consistent performances from starters to maintain central field energy and stability.
Hellas Verona Tactics and Formation
Verona may go with a 3-5-2 setup, aiming for midfield strength and wing control to disrupt Empoli. A central defensive trio consisting of Ghilardi, Coppola, and Valentini secures defense, while Dawidowicz, Duda, and Tchatchoua hold midfield control. Forwards Sarr and Tengstedt need to pressure Empoli’s defense, leveraging Duda’s playmaking. Despite limited overall defensive width, coach Paolo Zanetti might pivot on defending against Empoli’s swift counterplays. Set-pieces will be crucial, focusing on exploiting known vulnerabilities in Empoli’s defense and utilizing later game substitutions to manage energy during critical phases.
Empoli vs Hellas Verona Head-to-Head Statistics
In five matchups since August 2022, head-to-head results show a tight contest, with Empoli winning once, Verona twice, and two draws. Their last game on December 8, 2024, had Empoli win 4-1 away, reshaping confidence against Verona. Despite Verona’s 2-1 win in January 2024 at home, Empoli showcased their ability to disrupt home advantages in their last meeting. On average, the games see 2.8 goals each, showing the promise of lively encounters.
Date | Fixture | Score | Competition |
---|---|---|---|
2024-12-08 | Hellas Verona vs Empoli | 1-4 | Serie A |
2024-01-13 | Hellas Verona vs Empoli | 2-1 | Serie A |
2023-08-19 | Empoli vs Hellas Verona | 0-1 | Serie A |
2023-05-28 | Hellas Verona vs Empoli | 1-1 | Serie A |
2022-08-31 | Empoli vs Hellas Verona | 1-1 | Serie A |
Venue and Weather
The match takes place at Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli, a venue for about 16,284 passionate fans, perfect for intense Serie A duels. As evening falls, the weather is set to be mild with a 20°C temperature. This condition promises ideal conditions for a robust physical and technical match. With clear skies and light winds, the stadium’s enclosed atmosphere aids Empoli’s home advantage, encouraging offensive strategies to ward off Verona’s potential surprises. The dry pitch is set for fast-paced play, highlighting Empoli’s quick players with the crowd’s energy potentially influencing the crucial effort to stay in the league.