Empoli vs. Cagliari, a direct clash!

This match will light up the battle for survival: Empoli and Caglari will take place at the Castellani Computer Gross Arena in a match that holds a lot of importance. The home side have not won since 8 December, 4-1 over Verona, and have only gained four points in the fifteen matches since then, the most recent coming against Como last week. They will aim for a win in order to make life difficult for their opponents and reignite their fight for survival. Cagliari will aim to win their second consecutive match after the win against Monza, something they have not done this season. A win would put them nine points clear of 18th place with seven games to play and 21 points up for grabs.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

After the 2-0 in the reverse fixture on last 20 September, Empoli could win two games in a row against Cagliari for the first time in Serie A. The last 12 matches between Empoli and Cagliari in Serie A have seen both sides record the same number of victories: four wins each and four draws, with 14 goals scored by both teams. Cagliari are unbeaten in their last two away games (W1 D1) against Empoli in Serie A, after having lost six of the first seven games on the road against them in the top-flight (W1).

DID YOU KNOW?

Empoli have not won any of their last 15 league games (D4 L11) - their last win dates back to 8 December away to Hellas Verona (4-1) – and could equal their longest streak of consecutive games without a win in Serie A: 16 matches in a row between December 2021 and April 2022, under Aurelio Andreazzoli. Empoli have lost six of their last seven home league games (D1), including the three most recent ones without scoring; only once have the Tuscans suffered four defeats in a row in Serie A, between June and September 2023 (in that case they also remained without scoring in that run). After the 3-0 win against Monza, Cagliari could win two consecutive matches in Serie A for the first time since March 2024, with Claudio Ranieri as coach (against Empoli and then Salernitana). Cagliari have won just one of their last 12 league away games (D4 L7) - 2-1 against Monza on 5 January - losing the two most recent ones; the Sardinians have not suffered at least three consecutive away defeats in Serie A since November and December 2023 (a run of four). Empoli are both the team that have conceded the most goals (27) in the last half hour of play in Serie A this term, and the team that has scored the fewest goals (4) in the last 30 minutes of the game.

PLAYERS

Last time out against Como, Christian Kouamé scored in Serie A for the first time since 21 April 2024 (for Fiorentina against Salernitana). He could score in two consecutive games in the competition for the first time since April 2023 (v Sampdoria and Monza in that case, also with Fiorentina). Nicolas Viola has scored two goals in his last three league games, as many as in his previous 23 Serie A matches. Furthermore, only one of his last seven goals in the top-flight has been scored away from home: against Inter, on 14 April 2024.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: Fazzini, Gyasi (Empoli) Cautioned: Henderson, Cacace (Empoli); Marin, Mina, Deiola, Obert, Piccoli (Cagliari)

REFEREE

LA PENNA (ZINGARELLI – ROSSI M.) IV: PRONTERA, VAR: AURELIANO, AVAR: MARINI

UPCOMING MATCHES IN SERIE A

Napoli-Empoli (Monday 14 April 20.45 CEST) Inter-Cagliari (Saturday 12 April, 18.00 CEST) (Photo Getty Images)