Juventus is back at the top of Serie A and aiming to extend their lead when they host Empoli at Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening. After a remarkable run, which has seen them score 18 goals in five matches – their best start since 1932 – Juventus is on a relentless pursuit for more points. Meanwhile, Empoli, currently sitting near the bottom of the table, face a daunting task as they look to secure an unlikely win on the road.
Juventus: Flying High & Full of Confidence
Max Allegri's Juventus has been in scintillating form lately, having won their last seven matches across all competitions. With their main rivals in the league away, Juve seized the opportunity to take the Serie A top spot after a dominant 3-0 victory over Lecce. Dusan Vlahovic, in particular, has been in phenomenal form, netting four goals in his last two appearances and continuing his red-hot streak. Juventus is now unbeaten in their last 16 league games, a record that has them poised for a strong finish to the season.
In addition to being in fantastic form domestically, Juventus has also made progress in the Coppa Italia, advancing to the semi-finals. Allegri is eyeing another milestone: becoming the first coach in Serie A history to reach 1000 points with a win on Saturday. The team will be eager to capitalize on their momentum ahead of the highly anticipated Derby d'Italia next week against Inter Milan at San Siro.
With the likes of Vlahovic, Federico Chiesa, and Kenan Yildiz continuing to impress, Juventus remains a formidable force in Serie A. They are set to face a much weaker Empoli side that has struggled on the road, with only two wins away from home so far this season.
Juventus Key Players:
- Dusan Vlahovic: The Serbian striker has scored five goals in 2024, making him one of Serie A's top scorers.
- Federico Chiesa: A key figure in Juventus' attacking setup, though he's still recovering from a muscular issue.
- Adrien Rabiot: The midfielder will be sidelined, but Juventus will rely on the creativity of players like Manuel Locatelli and Fabio Miretti.
Empoli: Struggling But Showing Signs of Life
Empoli’s season has been a struggle, with only 16 points from 21 matches, and they are currently second-bottom in the Serie A standings. Despite their poor form, there’s been a glimmer of hope following the appointment of new manager Davide Nicola. In his first match at the helm, Empoli pulled off a stunning 3-0 victory over Monza, thanks to a hat-trick from Szymon Zurkowski. While that victory has offered some optimism, Empoli still faces a tough challenge against one of Italy’s most dominant teams.
Empoli has lost 12 of their 14 away games against Juventus in Serie A, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat in their most recent visit to Allianz Stadium. The Azzurri will need to overcome several injuries, including to veteran strikers Francesco Caputo and Mattia Destro, to stand a chance against the in-form Bianconeri.
Empoli Key Players:
- Szymon Zurkowski: After his hat-trick, Zurkowski is one to watch for Empoli, as he will look to continue his fine form.
- Sebastiano Luperto: The defensive stalwart has been a key part of Empoli’s defense, with 22 blocks, the most in Serie A.
Juventus vs Empoli: Predicted Lineups
Juventus:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Starting XI: Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti, Kostic; Yildiz, Vlahovic
Empoli:
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Starting XI: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Bereszynski, Zurkowski, Grassi, Fazzini, Cacace; Shpendi, Cambiaghi
Match Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Empoli
Given Juventus’ current form and Empoli’s struggles on the road, it’s hard to see anything other than a routine win for the Bianconeri. Juventus is expected to control possession, with their attacking trio of Vlahovic, Yildiz, and Kostic likely to prove too much for the Empoli defense. A solid defensive display should also help Juventus secure the three points and extend their lead at the top of Serie A.
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