Preview : Empoli vs AS Roma - Live streaming, lineups & Prediction

Empoli vs AS Roma

SCHEDULE	TIME
GAME	Empoli vs AS Roma
DATE	23.01.2022
TIME	12:00 PM (UTC)
VENUE	Stadio Carlo Castellani (Empoli)
LEAGUE	Serie A - Round 23

TV Channel Info

More Information

Streaming starts 5 minutes before kick off

Match Preview

◉ After a 1-1 draw against Venezia last time around in Serie A (SA), Empoli are winless in five league games (D3, L2) and remain outside the top ten. Yet, despite losing the reverse fixture 2-0, their record against current top-seven SA teams is near-even (W3, L4), and as they scored in five of those games, Empoli have proven their ability to breach even the very best.

◉ Playing at Carlo Castellani hasn't helped Empoli results wise though, with the hosts averaging more points away than at home this season, though the same can be said for a majority of the league at present. Poor starts have contributed to that disparity, with Empoli conceding ten goals within the first 15 minutes of play, which is a league-high ahead of this SA round.

◉ Visitors Roma have been unable to win more than two consecutive SA games since matchday three, and are currently sitting outside the top five. This fixture shouldn’t worry boss José Mourinho though, as eight of Roma’s last 11 SA wins have come against current bottom-half teams.

◉ The glaring inconsistency in Roma’s away form should be a concern though, with ‘La Lupa’ alternating wins and losses across their last seven SA road trips (W3, L4), though they travel after a 3-1 loss last time on the road. Even so, conceding first could be fatal, as the visitors’ last five SA away losses saw them concede the opener.

◉ Players to watch: Empoli’s Andrea Pinamonti has scored the final match goal with his previous three SA home strikes. Also a good contender to have the final say after his winner in the last round is Sérgio Oliveira, who has a chance to become only the third player to score in both of his first two SA games for Roma since 1994/95.

◉ Hot stat: Each of Roma’s last nine SA away matches against a reigning Serie B champion have seen them keep a first-half clean sheet.

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vicario; Stojanovic, Romagnoli, Ismajli, Marchizza; Zurkowski, Ricci, Bandinelli; Bajrami, Henderson; Pinamonti

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibanez, Vina; Cristante, Oliveira; Zaniolo, Mkhitaryan, Afena-Gyan; Abraham

Prediction

Empoli 1-2 Roma

Winless for weeks, Empoli have been unable to pick up many points at home, while hit-and-miss Roma are often below-par away.

The visitors' increasing options, following further recruitment in the current transfer window, mean that they can edge a close-fought game by a one-goal margin - at least keeping them in the top-six mix.