The Carlo Castellani Stadium will host a pivotal Serie A match on Sunday, 25 May, as Empoli and Verona face off in a critical battle for survival. Empoli, currently 18th with 31 points, must secure win or draw to maintain their top-flight status, and hope for other results to go their way. Meanwhile, their opponents, Verona, positioned 15th and three points ahead, are probably safe, but a heavy win for Empoli could see them dragged into the mire.
Both teams enter this match in poor form, highlighting the challenges of their campaigns. Empoli have suffered three losses in their last five matches and have a disappointing home record, with only two wins from 18 games (2-7-9). Verona's away performance is similarly underwhelming, with just three victories in 18 matches (3-4-11). While Empoli slightly outscore Verona at home, averaging 1.08 goals compared to Verona's 0.94 on the road, both teams struggle defensively, with Empoli conceding in their last six games and Verona in their last seven.
Key players could influence the outcome of this tense encounter. Empoli will depend on Sebastiano Esposito, their leading scorer with eight goals, to lead their attack. Conversely, Verona will rely on Casper Tengstedt, who has scored six goals this season, to provide offensive momentum. Discipline may also play a crucial role, as Verona's record for the most red cards in Serie A could impact their performance.
Historically, Empoli have a slight advantage with six wins to Verona's five in their last 18 meetings. However, Verona have been dominant in recent encounters, losing only once in the last five. With an average of 2.6 goals per game in these matchups, fans can anticipate an exciting and high-stakes game. As the relegation battle intensifies, the pressure on both teams to perform is immense.
Empoli - Verona Key Facts
Verona have not won in their last seven matches, indicating a significant dip in form that could influence their performance against Empoli, who are looking to capitalise on this weakness.
In their last five encounters, Empoli have only managed one victory against Verona, suggesting a competitive edge for Verona in this fixture despite their current struggles.
Empoli have failed to score in 11 of their 18 home matches this season, raising concerns about their attacking capabilities and making it risky for punters to back them for a high-scoring game.
Empoli vs Verona Betting Predictions
Primary Bet:Over 2.5 goals @ 69/50
This clash between Empoli and Hellas Verona promises an exciting contest, with the "over 2.5 goals" market standing out as a strong option. Their previous meetings have averaged 2.6 goals per match, and Empoli's defensive vulnerabilities—having conceded in each of their last six fixtures—further bolster this prediction. Empoli average 1.08 goals per match at home, while Verona contribute 0.94 goals on their travels, suggesting both sides are capable of finding the back of the net. With both teams battling for crucial Serie A points, an open and attacking encounter is highly likely.
Secondary Bet:Home Win @ 19/20
Backing Empoli for the "home win" also presents solid value, particularly given their recent form compared to Verona's struggles. Empoli have outperformed Verona in their last five matches and boast a favourable home record in this fixture, winning twice in their last eight meetings. In contrast, Verona are winless in their last seven matches, highlighting their poor run of form. While Empoli's overall home record this season has been underwhelming, Verona's ongoing away struggles and Empoli's slight edge in this matchup make the home win a compelling secondary bet.
