Empoli - Napoli predictions and free betting tips [20/04/2024]

On Saturday, 20 April, as part of the 33rd round of the Italian Serie A, Empoli will host Napoli. While the current Scudetto holder sorted a draw with the sinking Frosinone last week, the hosts are lingering near the relegation zone and have suffered five defeats in their last six matches.

Predicted Line-ups

Empoli: Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Cancellieri, Marin, Maleh, Pezzella; Zurkowski, Cambiaghi; Niang.
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Ostigard, Mazzocchi; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.

Stadium

The fixture will be held in Empoli at the Carlo Castellani Stadium.

Empoli

Empoli sits at the 17th position in the Serie A table, just a mere point away from the relegation zone. After suffering losses in four consecutive matches (Cagliari, Milan, Bologna, and Inter), the team sensationally triumphed over Torino with a 3:2 score in front of their tifosi. Regrettably, last weekend, the Azzurri once again squandered an excellent opportunity to extend this success by capitulating to Lecce (1:0), direct competitor for survival. Currently, they've lost five out of their last six games (without scoring), and no team in Serie A has scored fewer times than Empoli since March (just two goals). So, now, Davide Nicola's disciples will strive to overcome all difficulties and win their second consecutive home victory for the first time since May last year. Notably, the Azzurri holds third-worst place in terms of points earned at home: only 13 in 16 home clashes with 12 goals scored and 22 goals conceded. 

Napoli

Standing at the 8th place of Serie A table, Napoli has been a disappointment for its tifosi this season. The current Italian champions seem to have ducked out of the race for a Champions League spot but can still aspire for a berth in the lower-rank European cups. The Neapolitan squad has managed to clinch victory in only one out their last five league matches, while drawing three. After the international break, they had a crushing defeat at home against Atalanta (0:3), then overcame Monza (4:2) and last weekend shared the spoils with the sinking Frosinone (2:2).

Even more painful for the club's fans is the fact that the two canaries goals were scored by Walid Cheddira, lent by Napoli. Francesco Calzoni's men have conceded at least twice in each of their three last outings and yet, it's been fascinating to see their away performances: 26 points in 16 away matches, possessing the 4th best tally in the division. 

Head-to-Head

Empoli sensationally outplayed Napoli in November last year with an only goal by Viktor Kovalenko; thus, the underdog has won three out of the previous five head-to-head meetings.

Prediction for Empoli vs Napoli

Napoli, competing for a finish in the European cups zone, can't afford to stumble against a league underdog. The guests yearned for retribution for last week's disappointment and could count on all their offensive leaders, as Empoli has had a loss in five of last six rounds and is clearly in a crisis. I can't envisage the hosts securing even a single point this Saturday.

Prediction for Goals Total

Empoli netted only two goals in their last six rounds, this being the absolute worst result of all the teams in Serie A. I'm betting on individual total under 1 goal for the underdog.

Prediction for Corners

From the starting minutes, Napoli will take possession of the ball and start steadily cracking the rival's defence through the flanks. I place my bet on an individual total over 5.5 corners by Napoli.

Prediction for Yellow Cards

Empoli will have to foul a lot to tame the formidable attack potential of their superior rival. Betting on Empoli to have more yellow cards.

Prediction for Exact Score

I'll place my bet on the exact score of 0:2 in favour of Napoli.