Both these sides come into match day 12 on the back of disappointing defeats. But these Empoli vs. Atalanta predictions fancy La Dea to come back stronger and take three points back to Bergamo on Sunday.
Empoli vs. Atalanta odds
1 – Atalanta to win to nil – 9/4
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 11/10
3 – Duván Zapata to score at any time – 1/1
4 – Both teams not to score – 11/10
5 – Half time/Full time Atalanta/Atalanta – 7/4
Although it always seemed a long shot that Empoli would come away from the Allianz Stadium with even a point, Paolo Zanetti will still feel aggrieved that his side were beaten by four clear goals on Friday after dominating for at least the first hour.
The second goal was the real killer for Empoli and the team visibly crumbled after that. Now Zanetti must raise his players for the visit of an Atalanta side that have defended much more strongly this season.
That will be a worry for the home side, who have only managed to score nine goals all season. That’s why Atalanta to win to nil looks like a good option – with Duván Zapata fancied to score at any time as he makes his return to action.
The Colombian came on as a second half substitute against Lazio last weekend but could do nothing to change the outcome as the Biancocelesti outwitted La Dea, using the absence of Ciro Immobile up front as a positive rather than a negative.
Gian Piero Gasperini admitted that his players were well beaten by Lazio and will now attempt to tighten the defensive unit once again, while allowing his naturally attacking players to control more of the ball.
The goals haven’t been as free flowing this season as in previous years but this fixture does look like a chance to change that. Atalanta look good for the win – and should still be in the top four come the end of the weekend.
How to stream Empoli vs. Atalanta
All Serie A games, including Empoli vs. Atalanta, can be live streamed on the bet365 website. Customer account holders just need to have an account or have placed a bet in the 24 hours before kick off.
Empoli vs. Atalanta last five matches
Empoli last five matches
Atalanta last five matches
Empoli top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 |
Atalanta top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 13 | |
| 10 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 |
Empoli vs. Atalanta line-ups
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Parisi, Luperto, De Winter, Stojanović; Bandinelli, Marin, Haas; Baldanzi; Satriano, Destro
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Sportiello; Demiral, Scalvini, Okoli; Maehle, de Roon, Koopmeiners, Soppy; Pasilic; Zapata, Lookman
Empoli team news
Zanetti admitted that he played Marko Pjaca against his parent club last week to give him a chance to prove himself but may bring in Tommaso Baldanzi or Nedim Bajrami for this one. That could be the only change though, as his Empoli side did impress for a large proportion of the game against Juventus.
Atalanta team news
Luis Muriel was sent off in the final minute of the defeat to Lazio last week so will miss this one. But Gian Piero Gasperini has some good news in the form of Duván Zapata returning back to full fitness – and he could start here. Otherwise, he should stick with the same players once again.