Match day three in Serie A and these Empoli vs. Juventus predictions take a look at two clubs enjoying very different seasons so far. The home side is yet to score a goal, while Juve have begun brightly.
1 – Juventus to win – 4/6
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 10/11
3 – Both teams not to score –10/11
4 – Dušan Vlahović to score at any time – 6/4
5 – Juventus to win to nil – 7/4
Empoli enter their third consecutive season in the Italian top-flight and, as ever, it looks like it will be a campaign largely fighting against relegation. It has been two defeats from two games so far – and the prospect of Juventus visiting does not bode well for the Azzurri.
Paolo Zanetti’s side are yet to even score a goal, losing against a revitalised Hellas Verona side and then going down to Monza last weekend. With key players still out, it could get worse before it gets better for Empoli.
It is difficult to see just how the home side will be able to break through Maxi Allegri’s defence on Sunday – and win to nil for the visitors looks like being the most likely outcome.
Allegri is finally able to put both Federico Chiesa and Dušan Vlahović on the pitch at the same time – and the partnership is beginning to pay dividends. Both players have already opened their accounts for the season and there is a good chance that one, or both, will find the net at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
Allegri is still adamant that club veteran Leonardo Bonucci will not have a place in his side this season and the players he is putting his trust in have done a good job so far. Juve were fortunate not to lose to Bologna last time out but remain unbeaten – and that should remain the case after this weekend too.
Empoli vs. Juventus can be live streamed on the bet365 website. Customer account holders need to have funds in their account or have placed a bet in the 24 hours before kick off to access the action from the Stadio Carlo Castellani.
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 |
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 16 | |
| 7 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 |
Empoli (4-2-3-1): Perisan; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Haas, Marin; Cancellieri, Baldanzi, Cambiaghi; Caputo
Juventus (3-5-2): Perin; Alex Sandro, Bremer, Danilo; Weah, Rabiot, Fagioli, Locatelli, Cambiaso; Vlahović, Chiesa
Paolo Zanetti is still having to make do without Daniel Maldini at the back and will probably have to persevere with keeper Samuele Perisan after Elia Caprile was sidelined with a bad injury on the opening day of the season.
Max Allegri should be able to field an unchanged starting XI this weekend, expecting his charges to pick up all three points from this trip to Empoli. Both Chiesa and Vlahović will be expected to add to their goal tallies for the season.
