Empoli hosts Como on Monday in a gameweek 11 Serie A matchup at Stadio Carlo Castellani. Both teams are keen to get their season right on track after a disappointing month of October, as each gathered just one point from four matches last month – the worst performers in the league.
Match Preview
Empoli’s Challenges and Hopes
Since Roberto D’Aversa was appointed at Empoli at the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign, the initial bright start by the former Parma boss has begun to wear off. The Azzurri did not lose any of their first six matches in the league, although four of them were draws. They have since experienced a downturn in form as they lost three of their last four games to powerhouses Lazio, 2-1, Napoli, 1-0, and Inter Milan, 3-0. Coming up against Como is the chance for Empoli to re-ignite their form at home in a way that should please fans who are looking to see a change in fortunes.
This has now reached slightly worrying proportions, as Empoli have failed to score in the Stadio Carlo Castellani for five games on the trot. Monza, Juventus, and Fiorentina have kept them out, while Napoli and Inter posted victories without Empoli finding the net. It is against Como, therefore, that Empoli will have to find their shooting boots once again, as since its promotion, the away side has struggled to shore up its defence.
Como’s Defensive Issues
The head coach of Como is Cesc Fabregas, and his team has conceded 21 goals in 10 matches, with only Hellas Verona worse, with 22 goals conceded. Como had a bad end to October, losing 5-1 at home to Lazio. Having been poor at the back, Como leaked in many goals against top teams like Juventus 3-0, Napoli 3-1, Bologna 2-2, Atalanta 3-2, and Hellas Verona 3-2.
Como goes into this game without a win since successive victories over Atalanta and Verona back in September. They will want to take advantage of Empoli’s conservative performances at the Castellani to succeed in bettering a poor record against Empoli, which reads a solitary win from six Serie A games. Como’s last visit to the Castellani witnessed a goalless draw back in 2003, and another tight encounter may be on the cards given Empoli’s attacking disappointments in front of their home support this season.
Team Form
Empoli Recent Serie A Form: WDLLDL
Empoli Recent Form (All Competitions): WDLLDL
Como Recent Serie A Form: WWLDLL
Team News
Empoli
Defender Saba Goglichidze will not play in the match after getting a red card in their defeat to Inter. Besides that, D’Aversa might be without five players because of injuries: Szymon Zurkowski, Samuele Perisan, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, and Sebastiano Esposito. Emmanuel Gyasi and Lorenzo Colombo, both with two goals this season, are in poor form. Gyasi has failed to find the net since August, and Colombo has not seen the ball go in since over a month ago.
Como
Matthias Braunoder is suspended after he picked up two yellow cards against Lazio. While Fabregas has less injury worries than D’Aversa, he will be without Sergi Roberto and Ignace Van der Brempt. Gabriel Strefezza, who scored two of Como’s five away goals, will want to do more in this fixture.
Predicted Lineups
Empoli Possible Starting XI:
Vasquez; Viti, Ismajli, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Henderson, Maleh, Anjorin, Pezzella; Fazzini; Colombo
Como Possible Starting XI:
Audero; Goldaniga, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Mazzitelli, Perrone; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
Prediction:
Empoli 1-1 Como
Empoli’s issues up front at the Castellani are unlikely to go away, but they may open up a bit against a Como outfit that has been pretty fragile defensively. Fabregas’s men have enough attacking quality to break down Empoli’s back door, and a draw will likely be the fairest result.
