The 13th round of the 2024/25 Serie A season brings us an interesting clash between Empoli and Udinese. The match is set for November 25, 2024, at Stadio Carlo Castellani, starting at 18:30. Empoli boasts a strong defense, with Mattia Viti playing a key role in their success. Meanwhile, Udinese aims to bounce back after some recent struggles. They rely on their strong player scouting and squad-building skills.
Historically, these teams have had close matchups. Udinese has the edge with 12 wins out of 30 encounters, while Empoli has won 7 times. Empoli, now 11th in the league, recently defeated Como 1-0, displaying tactical sharpness. The weather forecast is favorable for the match, with broken clouds and a temperature of 14.58°C, minimizing weather-related disruptions. Udinese, eager to end a three-match losing streak, sees this game as crucial to turning their fortunes around.
Empoli vs Udinese Prediction & Betting Tip
We expect this match to be a tactical battle. Our prediction is that both teams will score. Empoli’s advantage at home and defensive strength, combined with Udinese’s knack for scoring from set-pieces and headers, makes this an attractive betting option.
| Empoli vs Udinese Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Both teams to score | 2.2 |
Empoli’s strong home form and Udinese’s skill in exploiting aerial play make this a balanced prediction for the match.
Empoli vs Udinese Odds
Empoli enters this game with a home-field advantage that slightly favors them in the odds, reflecting their solid strategy. On the other hand, Udinese’s odds show they have the potential to surprise, indicating their ability to pose challenges on the road.
| Empoli vs Udinese Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Empoli Win | 2.10 |
| Draw | 3.30 |
| Udinese Win | 3.50 |
The odds suggest a lean towards a low-scoring game, with both teams focused on defense while having some offensive punch.
Empoli Team Analysis
Empoli Recent Performance
Empoli’s recent matches showcase their defensive toughness, highlighted by a narrow win over Como, placing them 10th in the league standings. Over their last five games, Empoli has registered 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses. This trend points to tight contests with a strong defensive foundation, as they’ve let in just six goals during this period.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Empoli | Como | 1-0 |
| Empoli | Genoa | 0-0 |
| Lazio | Empoli | 2-1 |
| Milan | Empoli | 3-2 |
| Empoli | Bologna | 1-1 |
Mattia Viti’s role is vital in maintaining Empoli’s defense. On the offensive side, Pietro Pellegri poses a consistent threat. Their strategic approach hinges on secure positioning of key players to assure mid-table stability.
Empoli Key Players
Lorenzo Colombo leads Empoli’s scoring chart with two goals this season, showcasing his importance. Pietro Pellegri complementarily adds flair to their attack, contributing in recent games.
Midfielders Haas and Henderson are crucial in transitioning play and managing tempo. Defensively, Viti’s abilities are essential, anchoring the team’s back line. The inclusion of young talents like Iwo Kaczmarski reflects Empoli’s investment in future success.
Empoli Suspensions & Injuries
Empoli is dealing with a number of injuries, with key players like Esposito, Grassi, and Sazonov missing from action.
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Sazonov | Cruciate ligament | Indefinite (Season) |
| Fazzini | Muscle | Early December |
| Grassi | Ankle | Mid-December |
| Esposito | Hamstring | Late November |
These absences require Empoli to rearrange their squad, relying heavily on players like Viti and Pellegri to fill the gaps and adjust their tactics effectively.
Empoli Tactics and Formation
Empoli is likely to stick with their 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing defense. Viti leads the defense, while Pellegri and Colombo aim to strike on counter-attacks. The midfield, featuring Haas and Henderson, ensures possession control and tempo.
Discipline in defense coupled with adaptability forms the backbone of Empoli’s home strategy. This setup allows Empoli to combine tight defense with aggressive counter-plays.
Udinese Team Analysis
Udinese Recent Performance
Udinese, currently 14th, has had some difficulties recently. However, their matches reveal determined defenses, despite some lapses.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Udinese | Juventus | 0-1 |
| Atalanta | Udinese | 2-1 |
| Udinese | Torino | 0-3 |
| Fiorentina | Udinese | 2-1 |
| Udinese | Genoa | 1-0 |
Their win against Genoa shows their potential to secure tight matches. Udinese needs to improve scoring chances while maintaining their defensive stance to regain form.
Udinese Key Players
Thauvin stands out as a major attacking force for Udinese, contributing four goals and four assists. Lucca is another key player offering scoring potential, crucial in deciding matches.
They are focusing on strengthening their defense with players like Bijol, addressing recent weaknesses. Effective recruitment and team composition define their approach to achieving balance.
Udinese Suspensions & Injuries
Udinese faces lineup challenges with Alexis Sanchez’s participation being uncertain due to muscle fatigue.
| Player | Injury/Status | Estimated Return |
|---|---|---|
| Sanchez | Muscle fatigue | Late November |
These concerns require strategic planning to minimize any performance dip and maintain tactical agility, with proactive measures taken to ensure player fitness.
Udinese Tactics and Formation
Udinese is expected to set up in a 3-5-2 formation, focusing on defense to counter opponents. Thauvin and Lucca head the attack, aiming to leverage their ability to score with headers.
A solid defensive shape, coupled with good midfield play, remains key. Udinese intends to counter Empoli’s strategy by using aggressive pressing and strategic depth, learning from past encounters to boost their competitive edge.
Empoli vs Udinese Head-to-Head Statistics
In their recent head-to-head encounters, Udinese holds a slight upper hand. Out of their last five matchups, Udinese has two wins, while Empoli has not won, with three games ending in draws.
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Udinese | Empoli | 1-1 |
| Empoli | Udinese | 0-0 |
| Udinese | Empoli | 1-0 |
| Empoli | Udinese | 1-2 |
| Udinese | Empoli | 1-0 |
The goal tally remains low, averaging one goal per match. This history suggests a cautious approach from both teams in this tight battle.
Venue and Weather
The match will take place at Stadio Carlo Castellani, with a capacity of 16,284, setting the stage for an intense Serie A matchup. The weather is expected to be conducive for play, with a temperature of 14.58°C and broken clouds, ensuring players maintain high levels of performance.
A gentle breeze, with wind speeds around 2.43 m/s, suggests negligible impact on play, allowing for strategic engagement without weather obstacles. Empoli and Udinese fans can explore deeper insights into team forms and updates at Empoli FC and Udinese, as well as access broader Serie A context to inform their understanding ahead of this fixture.
