Serie A

Empoli vs. Verona, fighting for survival

Empoli need to win to have a chance of staying up, while a draw would be enough for Verona

Three massive points are up for grabs at the Castellani Computer Gross Arena. Empoli vs. Verona is practically a relegation play-off: the Tuscans must win and hope for favourable results elsewhere (either Lecce or Parma must fail to win), while the Gialloblu would be mathematically safe with a draw, without needing to worry about the outcomes of other matches.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Empoli won the first leg against Hellas Verona (4-1 on 8 December 2024) and in Serie A they have only won two games in a row against the Scaligeri once: in the 2015/16 season under Marco Giampaolo. The first leg against Empoli was one of four matches this season in which Hellas Verona conceded at least four goals in the first half; in the current Big-5 Leagues, only relegated Holstein Kiel (42) have conceded more goals than the Venetians (41, equal with Southampton) in the first half. After recording three draws and three defeats in their first six away games against Empoli in Serie A, Hellas Verona won their most recent one: 1-0 on 19 August 2023, with a goal from Federico Bonazzoli.

DID YOU KNOW?

Empoli will be safe on the last day if they beat Hellas Verona and one of Lecce and Parma does not win; in the event of a draw, the Tuscans would certainly be saved only if Lecce loses against Lazio and Venezia does not win against Juventus. Hellas Verona will only need to avoid losing to ensure their permanence in Serie A, an event that would also occur, regardless of the result of the Gialloblù, if Lecce do not win against Lazio; in the event of a defeat for the Venetians and a simultaneous success for the Giallorossi, Hellas would avoid the play-off only if Parma were to lose against Atalanta. After a 20-game winless streak in Serie A, in which Empoli had picked up just six points (L14), the Tuscan team have now won two in a row and could make it three in the competition for the first time since May 2019, when they won on matchdays 35, 36 and 37. Hellas Verona have drawn five of their last eight Serie A games (D3), including their last two. The Venetians are unbeaten in the two matches they have faced teams that started the day in the relegation zone this calendar year (1-1 vs Venezia, 1-0 vs Monza). Empoli have conceded the joint-most goals by substitutes in Serie A this season (14, level with Monza), while Hellas Verona have scored nine of their 32 total goals by subs-on players (28%), a percentage lower only than Lazio (34%).

PLAYERS

Lorenzo Colombo – one step away from 100 Serie A appearances (99 so far) – has scored three goals against Hellas Verona in the tournament, including his only brace in the topflight (3-1 win against Monza on 5 November 2023): the Gialloblù are his favourite target in the competition. Darko Lazovic has been involved in three goals (one goal and two assists) in his last four Serie A matches against Empoli; the 1990-born player could also score in consecutive games for the first time ever in the Italian topflight.

DISCIPLINE

Suspended: none Cautioned: Kastanos, Niasse (Verona)

REFEREE

DOVERI (ALASSIO – BACCINI) IV: FELICIANI, VAR: MARINI, AVAR: GHERSINI (Photo Getty Images)