Empoli vs Fiorentina Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Empoli managed to move out of the bottom three two weeks ago after claiming a huge win over Pescara. While that was a big victory for them, it also looked like a bit of a freak result. Before winning that game 4-0 they hadn’t scored in eight games. To have scored once in nine matches, but have four goals in that time, seems pretty odd.

While it can be said that Pescara fell apart, just how Empoli managed to record a win that big is a puzzle. That big win isn’t exactly a sign that the struggling side are suddenly about to turn a corner. It’s very difficult to see any kind of repeat of that result here, especially since they’re up against a strong Fiorentina team.

The Fiorentina back-line have been strong this season even though their team has had a few shaky moments. They’ve conceded 11 in 11 games, which include meetings with much more talented sides than Empoli. They’ve managed to avoid defeat in nine of their last 10, while they have lost just two of the matches they’ve played this term which shows just how tough la Viola are to break down.

The visitors should continue that record against a side who have failed to score in four straight matches at home. Overall, both are quite low scoring this campaign. Just 25% of Empoli’s games have seen over 2.5 goals. Only 36% of the games Fiorentina have been involved in have seen more than two goals so far this term.

Fiorentina are likely to be even more goal shy without Nikola Kalinic up front, the former Blackburn striker has been a revelation in Serie A this season. Despite being a failure at Ewood Park, he’s la Viola’s top scorer this term with five goals. He’s unlikely to feature here, so the visitors are probably going to be a little light up front in this clash.

Being light up front is something Empoli know all too well, having failed to score in 83% of home matches. Both teams have scored in just 8% of their games in the league this term. Of the goals they have scored, 67% have come away from their own ground. They average out 0.33 goals per match in front of their own fans while they convert just 3% of their chances into goals at home.

Fiorentina shouldn’t have too much trouble at the back but that doesn’t mean they’re likely to kick on and win. Empoli have drawn back to back games 0-0 here and they could push for another shut out. Given their scoring woes, we’re backing against both sides finding the back of the net. No on the both teams to score market is our tip, which is priced at 4/5 with bet365.