Empoli vs Sampdoria Prediction & Betting Tips - Serie A

Prediction published on 14/01/2023, 15:54  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 14/01/2023 at 16:54 in Serie A Predictions

14th placed Empoli host Sampdoria and hope to widen the gap between them and the Serie A relegation zone. The home side are currently 10 points clear of their opponents who 18th in the table. Empoli would normally be closer to the bottom three after only earning 19 points from their first 17 league games. Not this season though with the three sides in the relegation zone all yet to make it to double figures for the season. Empoli are unbeaten in their last three Serie A games (two played since the season resumed) with one loss in the last five and that was inflicted by league leaders Napoli. They did well to get a point at Lazio in their last Serie A match after being 2-0 down going into the 83rd minute. Empoli have only won four league games this season and three of those have come in their last four home fixtures, all against sides in the bottom half of the table. Eight home Serie A matches this season have only seen 15 goals scored in them. Overall, Empoli only have 15 goals in 17 league matches with 12 of those games having under 2.5 goals scored in them. That's more than any other team in the league this season.

When it comes to scoring goals, Sampdoria are having a nightmare this season. 17 league games have only seen them score eight times with 30 conceded. They only have nine league points and are six points from safety. Sampdoria have only won two league games so far with 12 matches being lost. It's already looking likely that they will be playing in Serie B next season for the first time since 2011/12. When the season resumed after the World Cup, they did get a valuable win away at Sassuolo, even managing a couple of goals. They haven't been able to build on that though with a home league loss to Napoli and then losing at Fiorentina in the Italian Cup, failing to score in either game. Five of their last six league games have ended in defeat, all those losses saw them unable to get on the scoresheet. Six of their eight league goals have come on the road but their two wins have both come against sides in the bottom five. Empoli can get the home win here.