FC Empoli – AC Milan
While the Bundesliga does not return from hibernation until next weekend, the ball is still rolling in other European leagues. Serie A also has many exciting games on the schedule for matchday 19. This includes the clash between Empoli and AC Milan on Sunday. Find out who will come out on top on Sunday in our Empoli – Milan betting tip.
The hosts will be looking to finally get back to winning ways. Empoli have now gone six games without a win and are 19th in the table. However, the Tuscan side’s last three-pointer was also against a top team, when they won 1-0 in Naples.
The visitors from Milan, on the other hand, have only lost one of their last seven games in the league. They also won 1-0 against Sassuolo shortly before the turn of the year. As a result, ACM are in third place in the table
Empoli – Milan info
- Date & Time: 07.01.2024, 12:30 pm
- Playing venue: Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli
- Competition: Serie A, matchday 19
- TV broadcast: DAZN
Empoli Form & Balance Check
Empoli FC are competing in Serie A for the third season in a row and finished a solid 14th in the table in the last two seasons. This season, however, it will be difficult to achieve a solid mid-table finish.
The team from Tuscany is currently 19th in the table. However, Hellas Verona, who currently occupy a place on the safe side of the table, are only one point away. Shortly before New Year’s Eve, they were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against Cagliari Calcio
Andreazzoli knows the team
Aurelio Andreazzoli is now a familiar face at FC Empoli. The coach is now in his fourth spell in charge of the Azzurri. The now 70-year-old first came to Empoli in 2017 and led the team from Serie B to Serie A in his first season. However, success failed to materialize after promotion and the coach was sacked in November.
After things did not improve under Giuseppe Iachini either, Andreazzoli returned for the final phase of the season, but was also unable to prevent relegation. The 2021/22 season was the Italian’s third spell in charge and in September Andreazzoli took to the bench in Tuscany for the fourth time
Empoli facts & analysis
- FC Empoli have not won in 6 games.
- Will it work out better today? FC Empoli have not scored in 6 of their 9 home matches in Serie A this season.
- A year ago, FC Empoli were 14th in the table with 22 points. They are currently in 19th position (13th).
Milan Form & Balance Check
After AC Milan brought the Scudetto back to the black and red part of Milan in the 2021/22 season, the Rossoneri only finished the past season in fourth place. However, Milan’s run in the Champions League was particularly impressive, where they only lost to local rivals Inter in the semi-finals.
In the new season, Stefano Pioli’s men returned to remarkable early season form. AC won seven of their first eight games in Serie A. After that, however, the Rossoneri’s strong run of form came to an end and they are currently in third place. However, league leaders Inter are already nine points away. In the Coppa Italia, however, they beat Cagliari Calcio 4:1 on Tuesday
Giroud still important
Olivier Giroud is a true phenomenon in top-flight soccer. The now 37-year-old striker has often been denied the ability to play for top European clubs. Nevertheless, he holds the title of world champion and is even the record goalscorer for the French national team. Even at an advanced age, the veteran remains hugely important to AC Milan.
This season, Milan’s number 9 retains his position in the center of the attack and confirms his nomination with impressive performances. In the league so far, the Frenchman has scored eight goals himself and set up five more. Although the top scorer was rested in the cup during the week, he will be back in action at the weekend.
Milan facts & analysis
- AC Milan have not lost any of their last 5 games.
- AC Milan have scored in each of their last 11 games.
- When AC Milan are 1-0 down in away games, they win 14% of them.
Predicted lineup – last update on January 5, 2024
The hosts will once again start with a 4-3-1-2-. Top scorer Francesco Caputo is expected to form the front two with Nicolò Cambiaghi. However, left-back Liberato Cacace will be missing on Sunday with a yellow card suspension.
We expect Milan to field a 4-3-3 again, but after making a number of changes in the cup, we expect to see the same team on Sunday. In addition to eight injured players, Ismaël Bennacer is also missing as he is away at the Africa Cup
Empoli – Milan head-to-head & stats
There have been 34 competitive matches between the two teams. Milan have been victorious in most of them, winning 19 games. Three of Empoli’s four victories have come away from home. The only home win for the team from Tuscany was on 29.01.1986 in the Coppa Italia
- The home record of FC Empoli against AC Milan in their last 13 matches is: 0 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats. The goal difference: 26-13 in favor of AC Milan.
- A look at FC Empoli: Francesco Caputo is the top scorer with 3 goals. Olivier Giroud scored 8 times for AC Milan.
- FC Empoli: Youssef Maleh has collected the most yellow cards (8). For AC Milan it is Theo Hernandez (6).
- The current performance of AC Milan in Serie A is better than that of FC Empoli.
- On average FC Empoli scores 0.6 goals against AC Milan and AC Milan scores 2.2 goals against FC Empoli.
