Empoli-Roma is a match valid for the thirty-eighth day of Serie A and is played on Sunday at 20:45: odds, predictions, live TV, streaming.
Blinding sixth place was Roma’s goal on the last day, and at the Stadio Olimpico against Genoa, a Lukaku goal was enough to bend the Rossoblù (1-0) and give Daniele De Rossi the certainty of finishing in the top six and avoiding a possible overtaking by Lazio.
A position that, should Atalanta not finish in the top four, would be worth the Champions League. The Giallorossi’s hopes of accessing the most important continental event “depend” therefore on the Dea, fresh from winning the Europa League: in the event that the overtaking against one between Bologna and Juventus, both currently at +2 on the orobici – remember that the Nerazzurri still have to recover the match with Fiorentina – does not materialize, then they would have a way to celebrate in the Capital as well. Roma’s championship, meanwhile, will end at Empoli, a team that must win at all costs to avoid relegation. Davide Nicola’s men a week ago missed the three points in the direct clash with Udinese (1-1), despite having taken the lead in the 90′ thanks to a penalty by Niang: ephemeral joy, since in the 104th minute came the Bianconeri’s equalizer, again from the penalty spot. The Tuscans are third-last but in case of a win they would rise to 36 and become unreachable for Udinese and Frosinone, respectively at +1 and +2, who will take points off each other in the thriller match at the “Stirpe.” Also concrete is the possibility of a tiebreaker if Empoli and Udinese finish on equal points (tie of the Tuscans and defeat of the Friulians).
Empoli-Roma: the latest news on the lineups
Nicola will confirm the 3-5-2 also with Roma. In attack Cerri, who is unavailable due to a muscle problem, will be missing and Niang and Caputo will compete for his place. In the middle of the field there is one important absence and that is that of Grassi, who is disqualified. The other ballot is in defense between Bereszynski and Walukiewicz.
On the other side, De Rossi has to give up two starters Paredes and Lukaku, both of whom have been suspended by the sports judge. Dybala is expected to start from the 1′, completing the trident with El Shaarawy and Abraham.
The prediction
A match that basically has value only for Empoli, forced to win to save themselves. Despite being defeated eight times in a row in their last direct clashes with the Giallorossi, Nicola’s men will try hard to bring home the three points. A win by them would not be a surprise.
The likely formations of Empoli-Roma
EMPOLI (3-5-2): Caprile; Bereszyński, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Maleh, Marin, Bastoni, Pezzella; Cambiaghi, Niang.
ROME (4-3-3): Svilar; Kristensen, Mancini, N’Dicka, Angelino; Bove, Cristante, Pellegrini; Dybala, Abraham, El Shaarawy.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
