The scudetto holders get their Serie A campaign back underway and most Empoli vs. Milan predictions favour the Rossoneri. But Stefano Pioli’s side sit out of the top four with seven games played and will hope to get three points on the board on Saturday.
Empoli vs. Milan odds
- – Milan to win – 7/11
- – Rafael Leao to score anytime – 15/8
- – Milan to win by 1 goal – 5/2
- – Both teams to score – 10/11
- – Over 2.5 goals scored – 10/11
Milan travel to face Empoli on Saturday afternoon hoping to bounce back following their first defeat of the season before the international break. Match day seven was far kinder to Paolo Zanetti’s side, who secured their first win of the campaign, climbing two places in the league table.
Fortunately for the visitors, their talisman this season, Rafael Leao will return for the match at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. The Portuguese winger was suspended for the defeat to Napoli after providing six goal contributions in his opening six games for Milan.
Following a productive international break with Portugal, we back Leao to return to club football with a bang and secure a win for the visitors. Milan to win and their second top-scorer to add to his three-goal tally should be a solid bet for this weekend’s football.
Despite their position as favourites, Milan have been far from the most convincing scudetto holders in the early season. In fact, out of their four wins so far, the Rossoneri have won by just one goal in three of them. With a number of key injures and following two weeks off training, a winning margin of just one goal for the visitors may be worth a punt.
Empoli will certainly be keeping a keen eye on their opponent’s injuries. Paolo Zanetti’s side have been nowhere near as prolific as the manager would have hoped but injury to Mike Maignan may give hope to his ailing attackers. Back-up keeper Taturasanu has shown in the past that he has a mistake in him, and a bet on both teams to score could pay off on Sunday with midfielder Filippo Bandinelli looking sharp in front of goal.
The visitors will have more to think about than just breaking the deadlock against the Scudetto holders, as Milan possess a strong goal threat themselves. In addition to the aforementioned Leao, Olivier Giroud has started the season well, scoring four in his last five games in all competitions. With so much attacking talent, a bet on over 2.5 goals scored at the Carlo Castellani is our recommendation.
How to stream Empoli vs. Milan
View Empoli vs. Milan this weekend with a credited bet365 account or by placing a bet up to 24 hours before kick-off.
Empoli vs. Milan last five matches
Empoli last five matches
Milan last five matches
Empoli top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 |
Milan top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 15 | |
| 13 | |
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 |
Empoli vs. Milan line-ups
Empoli (4-3-1-2) Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Haas, Grassi, Bandinelli; Marin; Lammers, Satriano
Milan (4-2-3-1) Tatarusanu; Dest, Tomori, Kalulu, Ballo; Bennacer, Krunic; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Giroud
Empoli team news
Few changes are expected from Paolo Zanetti’s side after winning their first game of the season last time out. Razvan Marin is expected to start either as an attacking midfield or a mezzala, whilst Marko Pjaca will hope to feature having failed to impress the manager in recent weeks. Mattia Destro, Nicolo Cambiaghi and Tyronne Ebuehi all remain out through injury.
Milan team news
Stefano Pioli has a host of injuries to contend with as Mike Maignan, Sandro Tonali and Theo Hernandez join long-term absentees Divock Origi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the sidelines. This could see summer signing Aster Vranckx step into the midfield should utility man Rade Krunic not feature. As a boost for the visitors, Rafael Leao will be available having served his suspension.