Sabasports Match Preview
Italian Serie A: Empoli vs Genoa
Kickoff Time: 2024-12-28 22:00 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Empoli can always win the battle against relegation in Serie A, boast an impressive unbeaten rate of 64.7% in the league. The team’s tactics are very conservative, primarily using a 3-4-2-1 formation, often opting to five up possession and engage opponents through defensive counter-attacks. According to statistics, Empoli’s average possession rate is only 39%, ranking them among the lowest in Serie A; however, they average a remarkable 28.1 clearances per match, the highest in the league. Based on the team’s defensive tactics, the standout players are concentrated in the defense line, such as center-backs Ardian Ismajli and Mattia Viti. Currently, the team has conceded only 19 goals, the fewest among relegation-threatened teams. A slight disappointment is that Mattia Viti will miss the match due to muscle issues, forcing a reshuffle in the center-back line and potentially reducing defensive stability. Compared to their solid defense, the team’s attack is relatively mediocre, particularly struggling to score at home. Of the 16 league goals this season, only two have come from home matches, both scored by striker Pietro Pellegri, who is currently sidelined with a severe ACL injury and likely out for the season. This means that among the currently healthy first-team players, no one has scored a league goal at home.
Genoa is just two points ahead of the relegation zone, facing immense pressure to avoid relegation. Due to poor results at the start of the season, the team changed coaches at the end of November, bringing in Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. Under his leadership, the team has achieved a commendable record of one win, three draws, and one loss in five matches. The former defensive midfielder Vieira has brought a significant change to Genoa’s defense. In recent matches, players have been more active, frequently employing zonal marking to disrupt the opponents’ attacking rhythm, resulting in improved interception and physical contest success rates. For example, in the last match against title contenders Napoli, Genoa attempted 21 tackles, successfully executing 15; additionally, they contributed 15 effective interceptions. Offensively, Genoa emphasizes midfield control and quick ball movement, adept at finding opportunities through short passing combinations. Furthermore, the team heavily relies on wing play, often utilizing the quick advancement and high-quality crosses from wingers to create threats. Currently, striker Andrea Pinamonti has scored six league goals. In the last league match, despite facing tight marking from Napoli’s players, he managed to find the net.
This season, Empoli has a noticeable weakness: they struggle with physical confrontations, especially since Youssef Maleh became the midfield conductor. In this match, if Genoa proactively increases the physicality in midfield, it is believed that Empoli’s midfield operations will be crippled, leading to ineffective counterattacks. This would allow Genoa to maintain a solid position without defeat.
Empoli’s Last 5 Games: LLWDL
24-12-23 Atalanta 3-2 Empoli
24-12-14 Empoli 0-1 Torino
24-12-08 Hellas Verona 1-4 Empoli
24-12-05 Fiorentina 2-2 Empoli (3-4)
24-12-01 AC Milan 3-0 Empoli
Genoa’s Last 5 Games: LDDWD
24-12-22 Genoa 1-2 Napoli
24-12-16 AC Milan 0-0 Genoa
24-12-07 Genoa 0-0 Torino
24-12-01 Udinese 0-2 Genoa
24-11-24 Genoa 2-2 Cagliari
Head To Head Record:
24-02-03 Empoli 0-0 Genoa
23-12-02 Genoa 1-1 Empoli
22-03-06 Genoa 0-0 Empoli
21-11-06 Empoli 2-2 Genoa
10-01-29 Empoli 1-3 Genoa
Prediction: Genoa to win or Draw