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Kick off: Thursday, 29.10.2015. @20:45
Venue: Stadio Marassi
Head to head record
Empoli vs Sampdoria 1-1 (2014/15 Serie A)
Sampdoria vs Empoli 1-0 (2014/15 Serie A)
Sampdoria vs Empoli 1-0 (2011/12 Serie A)
Empoli vs Sampdoria 1-3 (2011/12 Serie A)
Empoli vs Sampdoria 2-1 (2011/12 Coppa Italia)
Sampdoria vs Empoli prediction
The 4-1 triumph over Hellas Verona was a perfect way to end a three-match winless run and Sampdoria now aim to further reduce the gap behind European positions with a win over Empoli. The Azzurri moved further away from the bottom three as they defeated Genoa at home, but their poor showings on the road are a definite cause for concern.
A perfect attacking partnership
Having proved they can mix it up with the best of them in Serie A last term, Sampdoria entered the new campaign with a slightly changed squad, but with summer recruits fitting right in, the Blucerchiati managed to hit the ground running early on. Walter Zenga’s charges have been far from impressive on the road, losing to Torino, Atalanta and even Frosinone, but they have managed to turn their Marassi into a genuine fortress. And while Inter Milan scored late to deny them yet another home win, Sampdoria were thoroughly impressive in remaining four fixtures on home soil, defeating Carpi (5-1), Bologna (2-0), AS Roma (2-1) and Hellas Verona (4-1). The fact they boast the third best attack in the elite division speaks volumes about team’s attacking performances, where Italy international Eder and former Udinese hotshot Luis Muriel have established a fruitful partnership. The two forwards have already scored 11 goals between them this term and with Roberto Soriano pulling the strings in midfield, the impressive scoring run looks set to continue against one of the league’s worst travellers.
Djamel Mesbah is back in contention, but Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Andrea Coda and Nenad Krsticic continue to miss out.
Blowing hot and cold
Empoli were never going to have an easy task of repeating what was a breakthrough season for them, especially with coach Maurizio Sarri and important players Mirko Valdifiori, Elseid Hysaj, Daniele Rugani and Luigi Sepe leaving. The Azzurri in turn did a great job by keeping hold of Riccardo Saponara, but surprisingly signed players with little Serie A experience, and that has proved to be a major issue. After taking just one point from first three home games, Empoli did stabilise their form at Stadio Carlo Castellani, having defeated Sassuolo and Genoa, but their away showings have left a lot to be desired. And while they were quite fortunate to defeat Udinese after scoring two late goals, the Azzurri succumbed to defeats to AC Milan, Frosinone and AS Roma, so it is not realistic to expect they will fare any better against in-form Sampdoria. The visitors will be buoyed by the return of Riccardo Saponara, but there is only so much the Napoli target can do on his own and there are no doubts he will be in for a special treatment from the opposition.
The Italy international is back after a three-match ban, but Uros Cosic, Levan Mchedlidze and Daniele Croce all miss out.
Sampdoria vs Empoli betting tip
Sampdoria have been in excellent form on home soil and with the likes of Eder, Muriel and Soriano on top of their game, another home win appears on the cards. Empoli largely struggle on the road and we cannot see them getting anything from Marassi.
Tip: Home win
Odds: 2.38 (11/8) @BetVictor
