Juventus vs Empoli Predictions

• Juventus have won five of their last six games in all competitions with over 2.5 goals in three
• Empoli have lost six of their last seven games in all competitions with over 2.5 goals in five
• Juventus beat Empoli 4-1 in Serie A less than a month ago

Tough task for relegation-threatened Azzurri

Juventus will look to book a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Thiago Motta’s former club Bologna when they take on struggling Empoli in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

The Azzurri will arrive in Turin low on confidence after four defeats in a row that began with a 4-1 loss at Allianz Stadium earlier this month and culminated in a 5-0 home capitulation at the hands of Atalanta on Sunday. Roberto D’Aversa’s side dropped into Serie A’s bottom three at the weekend and must now prioritise securing safety over any plans to reach the last four of the Coppa Italia for the first time.

They could look to survive until penalties, with extra-time having been removed until the semi-finals. But their spot-kick victory over Fiorentina in the last-16 came after a thrilling 2-2 draw in which neither team took a step backwards.

Motta must target the Coppa Italia 

Backing goals looks the way to go with six of Empoli’s last seven games in all competitions featuring three or more and four of them hitting the four-goal mark. Juventus have not been particularly potent this season but six of their last nine home matches have featured at least three strikes.

Juventus should also win because, now they are out of the Champions League and still too far away from the Serie A summit to be considered title contenders, this competition is massive for Thiago Motta.

The Juve coach would set up a meeting with his former club in the semis if they get through and with Randal Kolo Muani adding a new dimension to their attacking play since his January arrival, they should score enough goals to progress.