Empoli vs Atalanta Prediction and Preview – 24/09/15

Serie A preview – Empoli vs Atalanta prediction

Empoli manager Marco Giampaolo has concerns over the fitness of Riccardo Saponara and Manuel Pucciarelli. The former will be a big loss if he doesn’t make it, as Saponara has been in good goalscoring form from attacking midfield this season. Considering that, Empoli will give him every chance to play.

Atalanta are without Davide Brivio and Marcelo Estigarribia, who are both injured. There are also fitness concerns over Rafael Toloi and Boukary Drame but they remain in contention to make the squad. Striker Mauricio Pinilla should make a return to the starting XI in place of German Denis.

Possible Line-ups

Empoli: 4-3-1-2 formation: Skorupski; Laurini, Tonelli, Barba, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Ronaldo, Croce; Saponara; Pucciarelli, Maccarone

Atalanta: 4-3-3 formation: Sportiello; Masiello, Paletta, Stendardo, Drame; De Roon, Carmona, Kurtic; Moralez, Pinilla, Gomez

Statistics

• Empoli have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches
• Atalanta have won 4, drawn 5 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Empoli have scored an average of 1.3 goals and conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Atalanta have scored an average of 1.7 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Empoli’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Atalanta’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals in all 4 of Empoli’s Serie A games this season

Prediction

Having suffered two straight defeats at the start of the season, Empoli have found some form in their recent games. A 2-2 draw at home to Napoli was followed up with a good 2-1 win at Udinese, thanks to a last gasp winner from Massimo Maccarone. Scoring goals has not been a problem for Empoli this season, finding the back of the net in all 4 games but defensively they need to tighten up, having conceded an average of 2 goals per game.

Atalanta responded well to their opening day defeat at Inter Milan. Since then, they have remained unbeaten, picking up 5 points from 3 games and currently sit in mid-table. However, having led Verona 1-0 going in to injury time at the end of the game on Sunday, Edoardo Reja will be very disappointed to have conceded a last minute goal. It was the second time this season that Atalanta have conceded a goal in injury time and it cost them points on both occasions.

This one could end all square but there should be goals.

Tips

Over 2.5 goals at 21/20 – Click here to bet with Bet365

Draw at 23/10 – Click here to bet with Bet365

2-2 final score at 14/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365

What are your predictions?

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