Juventus – Empoli : Preview & Prediction
Two straight 2-0 defeats, including one to Israeli side Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League, have left Juventus in crisis and Massimiliano Allegri on the brink of the sack. Quite frustrated, the players managed a key 1-0 win in the Derby della Mole against Torino in their last Serie A (SA) match. Now, every game is a must-win for Allegri and Empoli could be a tough opponent, with Empoli having already won 1-0 in Turin in August 2021 in what was Allegri’s first game of his second spell at Juve.
The home side seem to have been revived at home, having strung together home wins and scoring three goals in each, much to Allegri’s relief. The last time Juventus scored three goals or more in more than two successive home games was in March 2021, and they could now add a third straight win at the Allianz Stadium for the first time since January-February this year (when they managed four) to further calm the waters.
Empoli might seem like a good opponent for that, as the 2021 victory mentioned above was preceded by nine straight defeats in head-to-head clashes away from their home stadium. Paolo Zanetti’s side recorded their second win in four games (E1, P1) against Monza last weekend, thanks to an early goal to win 1-0.
The visitors have just two away wins in SA in 2022, but both came in their last six away games, and Empoli have lost just one away game in SA (G1, E3, P1). So the Tuscans could be evolving from being a strong home side to a consistent away side, as last season they also managed more points away from home (24) than at their stadium (17).
Players to watch: Dušan Vlahović has three goals in three games against Empoli, but only won one, although that was with Juventus (G1, P2). Nicolas Haas scored the first goal in SA to give Empoli victory last weekend and four of his last five goals have come before the 35th minute.
Weekend stat: There has been a goal in the first 35 minutes of Juventus’ seven official home games.
Juventus – Empoli : Betting Tips
Juventus – Win Odds: 1.45
