Sassuolo vs Empoli
Serie A
Saturday
24th February 2024
Citta del Tricolore
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the Serie A fixture between Sassuolo and Empoli.
Sassuolo vs Empoli: Preview
Sassuolo form analysis
Neroverdi have endured a difficult run of form over their last five Serie A matches. It started with a humbling 3-0 home loss to Juventus as Dusan Vlahovic’s brace and Federico Chiesa’s late strike secured an easy win. Sassuolo then suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Monza after Andrea Colpani’s first half goal. At Bologna, Sassuolo raced to an early lead through Kristian Thorstvedt but conceded four times in the second half, including late winners from substitutes Ferguson and Saelemaekers.
At home against Torino, Andrea Pinamonti put Sassuolo ahead after just five minutes but Diego Zapata equalized four minutes later as the points were shared. Most recently, Sassuolo were comfortably dispatched 3-0 by Atalanta as goals from Mario Pasalic, Teun Koopmeiners and Mitchel Bakker wrapped up the win. Attackingly and defensively, Sassuolo have badly struggled for form. Finding consistency at both ends of the pitch will be critical if they are to turn their season around after this poor run.
Empoli form analysis
Empoli’s recent Serie A form has been mainly positive, securing two wins and two draws from five matches. They started this run by comfortably dispatching struggling Monza 3-0, powered by a superb Szymon Żurkowski hat-trick. Despite taking the lead against Juventus through Dusan Vlahovic, Empoli quickly equalized through Tommaso Baldanzi to earn a creditable away point. Back-to-back goalless draws followed for Empoli though – first at home against relegation battlers Genoa and then away to mid-table Salernitana. However, Empoli returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-1 victory away at Salernitana.
An own goal and late strikes from Mamadou Niang and Matteo Cancellieri wrapped up the three points after Salernitana had equalized. Most recently at home, Fiorentina loanee Luis Beltrán put the visitors ahead but Niang converted a penalty to secure a 1-1 draw. So Empoli have been relatively solid at both ends, grinding out results, if lacking a cutting edge in attack. Overall though, their form has them well-placed to avoid a relegation scrap this term.
