Serie A returns to action after September’s international break as Empoli and Juventus lock horns at Stadio Carlo Castellani on Saturday. A victory for either side would mean the end of an unbeaten league start for the other.
Empoli and Juventus headed into the first international break of the 2024/25 season as two of the six undefeated teams in Serie A. After securing top-flight survival on the final day of last season, the hosts have got the new league campaign off to an incredible start.
Roberto D’Aversa, who took charge of the team over the summer following his infamous dismissal at Lecce, has reignited optimism in Tuscany. Empoli held Bologna to a 1-1 draw at Renato Dall’Ara last time out to build on a stunning 2-1 victory at Roma on matchday two.
Back to Carlo Castellani for the first time since a scoreless stalemate against Monza on the opening weekend, Empoli will look to take another massive scalp. Visiting Juventus relinquished their 100% record in Serie A under Thiago Motta with a tepid 0-0 draw against Roma a fortnight ago.
However, Motta’s first two league games in charge of the record-time Italian champions inspire confidence among the Turin faithful after four miserable seasons. Juventus thrashed newcomers Como and perennial strugglers Hellas Verona 3-0 each in their opening two games.
As a result, they entered the break as one of only four Serie A clubs to accumulate seven points from the first three rounds.
Match Preview
Empoli
You’d need to go back to 2006/07 for the last time Empoli opened a new top-flight season on a three-match unbeaten run. That’s a good omen for the Azzurri, considering they finished seventh that season, accounting for their joint-best Serie A finish.
Much of the credit goes to D’Aversa, who has seemingly turned a struggling team into a solid unit. He’ll hope to see history repeat itself on Saturday, as the last time Empoli enjoyed a three-game unbeaten Serie A start, they won their fourth-round match on home soil.
Adding to Empoli’s confidence, they head into proceedings on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D3). It’s hard to put it past them to make it seven undefeated outings on the trot after avoiding defeat twice in their last three encounters against Juventus (W1, D1, L1).
Juventus
Juventus might have failed to trouble the scoreboard against Roma, but another shutout extended their encouraging defensive streak to four league matches without conceding. That’s their best run since keeping four consecutive clean sheets in November 2023.
Despite their dismal attacking performance against Roma, Juventus should be confident of getting on the scoresheet on Saturday, having bagged nine times across their last four Serie A travels. Such formidable scoring form contrasts their earlier showings.
Indeed, Juventus had only scored eight goals in their first seven away league matches of 2024. Their attacking resurgence looks destined to continue this weekend, considering they have netted multiple goals on six of their last seven top-flight visits to Carlo Castellani (W6, L1).
Team News
Empoli will be without talented youngster Jacopo Fazzini and Nigerian fullback Tyronne Ebuehi. On top of that, D’Aversa still sweats over several first-team members, including first-choice goalkeeper Samuele Perisan, Szymon Zurkowski, and Tino Anjorin.
On the other hand, Juventus cannot count on the suspended superstar Paul Pogba. In addition to the Frenchman, summer arrivals Francisco Conceicao and Nicolas Gonzalez are out with injuries. Arkadiusz Milik is close to returning to fitness, but this game will come too soon for the Pole.
Empoli vs Juventus Potential Line-ups
Empoli (3-4-2-1): Devis Vasquez; Mattia De Sciglio, Ardian Ismajli, Mattia Viti; Emmanuel Gyasi, Liam Henderson, Alberto Grassi, Giuseppe Pezzella; Ola Solbakken, Sebastiano Esposito; Lorenzo Colombo.
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Michele Di Gregorio; Nicolo Savona, Federico Gatti, Glesion Bremer, Cabal; Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Fagioli; Andrea Cambiaso, Teun Koopmeiners, Kenan Yildiz; Dusan Vlahovic.
Empoli vs Juventus Prediction
Both goals in Empoli’s abovementioned draw against Bologna came in the first three minutes of play. With seven of Juventus’ last eight competitive matches featuring at least one goal inside the first 30 minutes, a quick-fire start could be on the cards.
An early opener could go a long way to helping Empoli defy the odds here, yet we expect Juventus to scoop up three more points.
Prediction: Juventus to Win
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