Juventus-Empoli is a match in Week 11 of Serie A and is played on Friday at 20:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
In their darkest hour, Juventus have clung on to their 80 million bomber, Dusan Vlahovic, who was decisive in the derby della Mole with Torino. Massimiliano Allegri only needed a strike from the former Fiorentina striker in the last quarter of an hour to pierce the Granata defence and pick up his first win of the season away from the Allianz Stadium. The Bianconeri continued to be unconvincing in terms of play, but in the delicate extra-cittadina – especially in the second half – they showed the aggression that had been lacking in the two consecutive defeats against AC Milan and Maccabi Haifa, which had seriously undermined the Livorno coach’s bench and convinced the club to send the team into retirement.
The watchword now, more than ever, is continuity. Juventus, in fact, have not managed to win two home games in a row since last March, when they got the better of Spezia and Salernitana. Beating Empoli means approaching a crucial appointment – with Benfica, next Tuesday, the Lady has no alternative but to win if she wants to continue her path in the Champions League – with high morale. In the hope that the attack will become more prolific, Allegri – who remains in any case in question – can count on a defence that is among the least beaten in the league and which had not recorded five clean sheets in the first ten days since the 2014-15 season (with the Livorno coach on the bench). Juventus, however, will have to be careful of an often inspired Empoli away from the ‘Castellani’. You have to go back fifteen years to find a similar statistic, with the Azzurri remaining unbeaten in five of their first six away matches.
The formation led by Paolo Zanetti comes to Turin in confidence and ready to challenge Juve without great pressure thanks to the success (1-0) in the direct clash with Monza, the first in front of their own public. Midfielder Haas gave three platinum points to the Veneto coach, who now has a six-point lead over the relegation zone.
Juventus-Empoli: latest line-up news
Nicolas Haas
Juventus’ infirmary is gradually emptying: Chiesa and Pogba are one step away from returning but remain off the squad list for now. Allegri, on the other hand, has some problems in defence, after the injury suffered by Bremer. Bonucci will play instead of the Brazilian, in an unusual trio with Danilo and Alex Sandro. A five-man midfield with Cuadrado and Kostic on the flanks, while McKennie, Rabiot and Locatelli will play in the middle. In front, the Milik-Vlahovic pairing is confirmed, with Kean ready to enter as the game progresses.
Plenty for Zanetti in attack: Destro and Lammers are currently favourites over Satriano and Pjaca, in the three-quarter instead Baldanzi should get the better of Bajrami. In the middle Marin is back, in defence finally space for the former De Winter, on loan in Tuscany.
The prediction
Last year Empoli achieved their first, historic, victory at the Stadium, which they conquered thanks to a goal from Mancuso. The feeling is that the Tuscans can again put a convalescent Juve in trouble, in any case obliged to give continuity to the success with Torino. Bianconeri favourites in a challenge of less than three goals in total, given that even the Azzurri score with the dropper. Watch out for Vlahovic, always particularly inspired whenever he meets Empoli on his way.
The probable line-ups of Juventus-Empoli
- JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Milik.
- EMPOLI (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Stojanovic, De Winter, Luperto, Parisi; Haas, Marin, Bandinelli; Baldanzi; Destro, Lammers.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
