AC Milan vs Empoli Betting Tips

Rossoneri fans have suffered over the last two seasons. No European football and little sign of development. They could be forgiven for becoming a little over-optimistic after a summer where AC Milan invested heavily in their squad and brought in a high quality football brain in Sinisa Mihajlovic as manager. Defeat in their opening game was one thing, but the manner in which Fiorentina dominated the game will have served as a reminder of the quality at the top of Serie A and of how much progress Milan needs to make.

Mihajlovic will hope to avoid having a player sent off early again, Zapata is expected to play centre back in the absence of the now-suspended Ely. Mario Balotelli joins the club on loan from Liverpool, though there is little to no chance that he enters directly into the starting line-up.

Empoli’s opening weekend defeat may not qualify as a highlight, but it was disappointing for a club that were a relatively solid side last season. A 3-1 defeat at home against Chievo was an especially frustrating defeat for a side that prides itself on strong defensive play at its core.

Couple that with the Coppa Italia defeat to Serie B side Vicenza and there is pretty good justification for concern about Empoli’s Serie A survival in 2015-16. The squad has yet to take full shape after a summer of departures. The team’s back four featuring Zambelli, Martinelli, Barba and Rui needs to figure things and develop cohesion if Empoli are to replicate previous success.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Milan will find form

We do think that Milan’s squad and approach more broadly has improved significantly from 2014-15 to 2015-16. They’ll come back strongly in this game and we’re banking on them to play better football and edge out the result they need.

2. Empoli are in disarray

There are problems at this club. Local media speculation is looking at the team’s attacking players, but goals conceded is probably a bigger concern considering how this club has previously enjoyed success.

3. Power of San Siro

It hasn’t been a fortress for either of Milan’s teams over the last couple of seasons. Still there’s a bigger buzz about football in the city this season and we’re expected an amped up crowd to get behind AC Milan on Saturday.