MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 14:23:17| >> :600:1311158:1311158:
[monks data]
Spezia Calcio logo
Serie A | Gameweek 18
Dec 19, 2021 at 2pm UK
Stadio Alberto Picco, La Spezia, Italy
Empoli logo

Spezia
1 - 1
Empoli

Marchizza (50' og.)
Maggiore (21'), Amian (88'), Kovalenko (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Nikolaou (71' og.)
Tonelli (38'), Bandinelli (60')

Preview: Spezia vs. Empoli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Spezia and Empoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Empoli make the trip to Spezia looking for the victory which could move them right into the mix for European qualification at the end of the season.

While the visitors start the weekend in eighth position in the standings, Spezia are 17th after losing four of their last five fixtures.


Match preview

Spezia head coach Thiago Motta pictured on September 22, 2021© Reuters

When Empoli posted just two wins from seven games between October and the back end of November, it was assumed that their positive start to the campaign was beginning to tail off.

However, three wins in four outings, two of which came against Fiorentina and Napoli, have left Aurelio Andreazzoli's side as outsiders for European qualification.

For a team who are in their first season back in the top flight, it has been a tremendous effort thus far, and the 1-0 success at Napoli represented their fifth away triumph of the season.

Although Patrick Cutrone's winner was somewhat fortuitous, the Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee deserved his bit of luck as he continues to complement the team's other frontmen.

AC Milan are to follow the game which takes place at the weekend, but Andreazzoli will be confident that his players can upstage any of the top teams after their latest scalp in Naples.

Earlier this week, Empoli edged out Hellas Verona in a 4-3 thriller in the Coppa Italia, but their next opponents suffered a 2-0 home defeat to second-tier Lecce.

While Thiago Motta would have viewed the fixture as an opportunity to get back on track after their recent dismal spell in the league, goals either side of half time condemned Spezia to a fifth defeat in six games in all competitions.

With all momentum having been lost in Serie A, Sunday's fixture at Stadio Alberto Picco is arguably Spezia's most important outing of the season as they bid to remain outside of the relegation zone.

Spezia have gone 223 minutes in all competitions without finding the back of the net, not ideal when they possess the worst defensive record in Serie A.

Spezia Serie A form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L

Spezia form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L

Empoli Serie A form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W

Empoli form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Empoli manager Aurelio Andreazzoli pictured in August 2021© Reuters

Motta will restore the likes of Dimitrios Nikolaou, Viktor Kovalenko and Rey Manaj to his Spezia XI after they all remained as unused substitutes in the Coppa Italia.

M'Bala Nzola should also return in attack after suspension, but Jacopo Sala is sidelined with the injury that he sustained versus Roma at the beginning of the week.

Having made widespread changes for the Coppa Italia, Andreazzoli should revert back to the team which started the win at Napoli.

Leonardo Mancuso is an alternative in the final third after he scored two pivotal second-half goals against Hellas Verona.

Nicolas Haas is out of contention after suffering an injury five minutes into that game.

Spezia possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Amian, Erlic, Nikolaou; Gyasi, Kovalenko, Kiwior, Maggiore; Reca; Manaj, Nzola

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, Luperto, Parisi; Henderson, Stulac, Zurkowski; Bajrami; Pinamonti, Cutrone


SM words green background

We say: Spezia 1-2 Empoli

Despite their contrasting positions in the table, respect must be given to Spezia's recent return on home territory. Nevertheless, Empoli have been fantastic for a large period of the campaign, and we are predicting another three points for Andreazzoli's side.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data



ID:473176:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8176:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Empoli win with a probability of 40.81%. A win for Spezia had a probability of 33.92% and a draw had a probability of 25.3%.

The most likely scoreline for a Empoli win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.06%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.76%) and 0-2 (6.65%). The likeliest Spezia win was 1-0 (8.13%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.93%). The actual scoreline of 1-1 was predicted with an 11.9% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Spezia vs Empoli

Spezia
20.5%
Draw
11.4%
Empoli
68.2%
88
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Juventus' Moise Kean celebrates scoring their first goal with Federico Bernardeschi on October 17, 2021
Read Next:
Sunday's Serie A football predictions including Juventus vs. Genoa
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli128221991026
2Atalanta BCAtalanta1281331151625
3Fiorentina1274125101525
4Inter Milan1274126141225
5Lazio1281325141125
6Juventus126602171424
7AC Milan115332014618
8Bologna114611513218
9Udinese125161518-316
10Empoli12363910-115
11Torino124261518-314
12Roma123451417-313
13Parma122641618-212
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona124081727-1012
15Como122461323-1010
16CagliariCagliari122461222-1010
17Genoa12246922-1310
18Lecce12237521-169
19Monza121561015-58
20VeneziaVenezia122281121-108


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!