Serie A: Empoli vs Napoli preview

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April 29th, 2015
Back Serie A: Empoli vs Napoli preview

Napoli travel to Empoli on Thursday evening with the clear goal of getting all three points in order to stay in the chase for a top-three spot in Serie A. Empoli are tough to beat at home but since they are already clear of relegation they might not be too keen on winning this match. Napoli have been unable to win at Empoli since 1999. The reverse fixture this season ended 2-2, with Empoli throwing away a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes.

Empoli are 11 points clear of the drop zone with six games remaining, so their survival in the Serie A looks secure. They have recorded two consecutive 2-2 draws in the last couple of matches, leaving them safely in 16th place. They have been tough to beat all season, they have just nine defeats so far, which is the lowest number for any team in the bottom half of the table. They have snatched quite a few draws, including five in a row at the end of 2014.

Napoli are chasing Champions League qualification on two fronts, they can achieve that by finishing in the Serie A top three and also by winning the Europa League. They are currently fourth in the league table but just two points behind third-placed Roma. Jonathan de Guzman and Michu are still injured but Christian Maggio will make his return from suspension.

Probable line-ups:

Empoli: Sepe - Laurini, Rugani, Barba, Soderlund - Vecino, Valdifori, Croce, Saponara - Maccarone, Pucciarelli

Napoli: Andujar - Maggio, Ghoulam, Albiol, Mertens - Mesto, Hamsik, David Lopez, Inler - Callejon, Higuain

My prediction: Napoli to win 2-1.

Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:

Empoli win - 4.50 Draw - 3.60 Napoli win - 1.80

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