11 December 2021, 10:26 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Serie A fixture, S.S.C. Napoli vs. Empoli F.C. kicks off at 18:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, December 12, at the Stadio San Paolo.
Preview Napoli Serie A, Dec 12, 2021
Preview Despite finishing on par in points with Spartak Moscow, 10 points each, Napoli came behind the Russian outfit in UEFA Europa League Group C, regardless of the 3-2 victory over Leicester City on Thursday. Back on the home front, Napoli lost their grip on the table as leaders and slipped to 3rd place following the 3-2 defeat to Atalanta. In the topsy-turvy five-goal thriller, Napoli found the leveler before taking the lead two minutes after the interval through Dries Mertens (47’). However, Demiral (66') leveled the score line for Atalanta before Remo Freuler (71') grabbed the winner for the Bergamo-based side. The defeat left Napoli with just five points out of a possible 15, DLWDL. Napoli has picked up 36 points from 11W, 3D, and 2L. Luciano Spalletti, who made his Serie A coaching debut as Empoli's manager in 1997/98, aims for a victory over the newly-promoted side. Napoli has not picked up a draw against a newly promoted team in Serie A since December 2014, and Spalletti aims to keep the numerical milestone intact. A 4—2—3—1 formation, with Dries Mertens at the top of the design, is expected from Luciano Spalletti against Empoli on Sunday. Lorenzo Insigne is doubtful, while Kalidou Koulibaly (hamstring) is ruled out. Hirving Lozano is also on the list of possible absentees, alongside André-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Preview Empoli Serie A, Dec 12, 2021
Preview Empoli bagged three points following the 3-1 win over Udinese at Stadio Carlo Castellani last Monday. However, Gli Azzurri remains rooted in 11th place despite the impressive victory. Having picked up 23 points from 7W, 2D, & 7L, Empoli is looking to cause an upset over the weekend by running away with at least a point from this clash of ninety minutes at the Stadio San Paolo. So far, the impressive numbers are their second-best haul at this stage of the competition after the 2015/16 campaign, when Empoli collected 24 points. Furthermore, Empoli’s haul of 23 goals this season is a club record after 16 Serie A matches. The Blues have lost only once in five games, and are undefeated in three, DLWDW, ahead of this fixture against Napoli. Aurelio Andreazzoli could appear along with Gli Azzurri adopting a 4—3—1—2 formation, with Federico Di Francesco and Andrea Pinamonti in attack. Pinamonti has scored six goals in Serie A this season, his best tally in a single top-flight campaign, and he aims to extend his tally on Sunday. Meanwhile, Empoli has a fully fit squad ahead of this fixture.