Empoli vs Chievo predictions, betting tips & match preview

Chievo are the surprise package in Serie A this season, they’ve spent the first few weeks in among the European spots. While they were dealt a blow last weekend against AC Milan, the Gialloblu have a great chance to get their campaign back on track this weekend. Can they keep up the pressure on the sides in the Champions League spots?

You’d imagine they could, given that Empoli are second from bottom of the table. Their early season return seems to suggest they’ll be battling relegation, despite finishing inside the top 10 last term. Their collapse has been pretty significant, and their failure to score goals is a huge part of that. Will they find things any easier when they take on Chievo this weekend?

Don’t expect to see goals in this clash, the bookies are making that very clear. Bet365 are pricing under 2.5 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Sunday at just 1/2. While it seems like a pretty safe bet, you aren’t getting too much value there. They make over 2.5 6/4, and it’s doubtful that would land. Empoli’s goal return this season has been abysmal.

The second bottom side have failed to score in their last five games, which obviously means they’ve failed to record any victories. They’ve lost three of their four home matches this season to nil, which says a lot about their strike rate going forward. One thing you can rely on them for is to concede, they haven’t yet kept a home clean sheet this season.

When you face a side who can’t score or keep a clean sheet, you really should be winning that game. However, Chievo are 19/10 with bet365 to take all the points here. It’s not like the visitors are in poor form, they’ve won three of their last five. They suffered defeats to Napoli and AC Milan in that time, who were both in excellent form going into those games.

The visitors average a goal per game on the road, while Empoli’s return this season is 0.25 per match. They’ve managed to convert 3% of their chances this term into goals. Chievo, meanwhile, have had 10 shots a game on average, 12% of those have hit the back of the net. Seeing as the visitors are in clearly better form and still outsiders, we’re backing them here. The away win looks like great value, but we’re being a little more conservative, backing Chievo draw no bet at evens with bet365.