Cremonese vs Empoli Predictions

• Empoli held AC Milan to a goalless draw at San Siro last week, having beaten Lecce 1-0 in their previous outing.
• Empoli beat Cremonese 2-0 in November’s return fixture in Tuscany.
• Cremonese have lost their last three games at home, conceding seven times in that run.
• Only Udinese (12) have drawn more games in Serie A than Empoli’s 11 this term.

Cremonese win battle of strugglers, but repeat unlikely?

Cremonese claimed just their second victory of the Serie A season by beating fellow strugglers Sampdoria 3-2 in dramatic fashion last Saturday, surely condemning Dejan Stankovic’s men to relegation with two goals at the last, having entered the final five minutes 2-1 down. Davide Ballardini’s side remain 10 points from safety, however, and visitors Empoli will be confident of denting their survival chances when the sides meet on Friday.

Cremonese’s win over Samp could perhaps be described as fortunate, with Ballardini’s men creating fewer expected goals than their opponents and seeing goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi make six saves. That was their first away win of the campaign, but they have struggled at home recently, losing their last three and conceding seven times in that run. Meanwhile, Cremonese have shipped multiple goals in five of their last six matches, and that defensive form – as well as figures showing they have allowed the second-most xG in the league this term – makes them impossible to back.

Empoli also enjoyed a strong result on the road last week, holding champions AC Milan to a goalless draw. That stalemate came off the back of a 1-0 win over Lecce the previous week, allowing Paolo Zanetti’s men to put their recent eight-match winless run behind them. Empoli have tended to be competitive on the road in 2023, avoiding defeat at both Milan clubs, Lazio and Fiorentina so far this calendar year, while they beat Cremonese 2-0 in November’s return fixture.

Draw specialists worth a punt?

Despite Cremonese’s win over Sampdoria, the hosts’ dreadful defensive statistics make it hard for punters to back them in any game, and Empoli have a knack for solid performances on the road. With that in mind, we’re tipping the visitors on the draw no bet market – only Udinese (12) have drawn more games in Serie A than Empoli’s 11 this term.

Meanwhile, a 2-1 away win could represent a solid correct score prediction – five of Empoli’s last eight away games have contained goals at both ends, as have six of the hosts’ last eight matches.

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