Spezia are without a win in the last five games and Empoli are one of the best-performing teams away in Serie A.
Thiago Motta’s last win is dated back to November 6 (1-0 against Torino). They suffered defeat against Serie B side Lecce in Coppa Italia on Thursday.
Four players are out of action for the Aquilotti, while Mbala Nzola returns to the squad list. He was omitted from the last Serie A match due to disciplinary reasons.
Empoli have collected ten points in the last five matches and earned 16 points in eight away games. Only Juventus, Milan, Inter, Atalanta and Napoli have more.
Filippo Bandinelli is expected to start in the middle of the park. Nicolas Haas is out of action after sustaining a knee injury during Wednesday’s victory against Hellas Verona in Coppa Italia.
Form Guide: Spezia ( L D L L L) Empoli (W W D W L)
Stat fact: Spezia and Empoli have only met in Serie B with four wins each and four draws.
Probable line-ups
Spezia (3-5-2): Provedel; Amian, Erlic, Nikolau; Gyasi, Kovalenko, Bourabia, Maggiore, Reca; Manaj, Nzola
Suspended: none
Injured: Verde, Salcedo, Sala, Leo Sena
On a yellow card: none
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Stojanovic, Tonelli, Luperto, Parisi; Henderson, Ricci, Bandinelli; Bajrami; Cutrone, Pinamonti
Suspended: none
Injured: Haas
On a yellow card: Zurkowski, Luperto