This weekend’s Serie A action includes some key battles towards the bottom of the table and these Empoli vs. Spezia predictions offer an insight of the latest picture on the relegation battle. Empoli look well set in the survival race in 11th, but Spezia are just four points outside of the drop zone.
Empoli vs. Spezia odds
1 – Empoli to win – 11/10
2 – Empoli under 2.5 total goals – 2/9
3 – Total goals scored under 2.5 – 9/11
4 – Both teams not to score – 11/10
5 – Empoli to win 1-0 – 36/5
Hosts Empoli will be looking to continue a solid run of form since the start of 2023, as they play host to struggling Spezia this weekend. Paolo Zanetti’s side lost 2-0 away at Roma last week, but that defeat comes as their first loss in Serie A action since the turn of the year, with nine points picked up from their previous five league outings.
In contrast, relegation threatened Spezia have lost their last three league matches, and four across Serie A and Coppa Italia action, putting the home side in a strong position to secure another win on home soil.
Zanetti’s drive to ensure Empoli are not dragged into a possible relegation battle has been based around straightforward wins with a low amount of goals scored per game by his team. They have not managed to score over 2.5 goals inside 90 minutes of Serie A action all season – and since the start of 2023, they have netted seven goals in six games.
That pattern of scoring just enough to get the points look set to continue this weekend, with only two of their six games in 2023 featuring over 2.5 goals scored by both teams in a game.
Spezia’s own form in front of goal does not inspire too much confidence either, with no goals scored in their last three league matches – and they have scored just once on the road in league action in 2023.
Zanetti will want to get another home win wrapped up, as his side move closer to safety. But Spezia are in danger of dropping into the bottom three if their relegation rivals start to pick up form in the coming weeks.
How to stream Empoli vs. Spezia
You can stream Empoli vs. Spezia live on Saturday afternoon via a bet365 stream with customers able to watch the full game through a valid account. This includes having sufficient funds in your betting wallet or placing a new bet up to 24 hours before kick-off.
Empoli vs. Spezia last five matches
Empoli last five matches
Spezia last five matches
Empoli top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 |
Spezia top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 13 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 |
Empoli vs. Spezia line-ups
Empoli (4-4-2): Vicario; Parisi, Luperto, De Winter, Ebuehi, Bandinelli, Henderson, Marin, Akpa-Akpro; Caputo, Satriano
Spezia (3-5-2): Dragowski; Nikolaou, Caldara, Ampadu; Reca, Agudelo, Esposito, Bourabia, Amian; Verde, Shomurodov
Empoli team news
Zanetti is still without four first team players through injury, with Ardian Ismajli and Mattia Destro not expected back in action until late February. However, he could look to rotate his side, with Liam Henderson potentially recalled to bolster the midfield.
Spezia team news
Spezia’s own injury list is even longer ahead of this tie, with seven players on the treatment table including Swedish international Albin Ekdal and Szymon Zurkowski out until next month. Their options for changes are limited, however, and they could stick with an unchanged team.