Empoli are ready to welcome Sampdoria on Saturday afternoon to the Stadio Carlo Castellani for a Serie A clash between two sides that are going in opposite directions.
After a surprisingly good start to their campaign, the Azzurri have been struggling in recent months, with their last win dating back to mid-January, against Torino. Since then, Marco Giampaolo’s squad have racked up five defeats and four draws.
On the contrary, Sampdoria have recently showed form that was lacking throughout the season. The Blucerchiati have won two matches in a row, against Hellas Verona and Frosinone, ending a victory drought that dated back to January.
The last clash between the two sides resulted in a draw, with Eder’s goal answering to the Empoli opener scored by Manuel Pucciarelli. Assen Diousse was sent off during the last minutes of that match after receiving two yellow cards.
On Saturday, Empoli’s coach Giampaolo will lack the defensive strength of Lorenzo Tonelli, who is completing to serve a ban for the infamous red card received against Sassuolo. His position will be occupied by Serbian defender Uros Cosic. No one else is expected to miss the match, and Giampaolo will deploy his usual attacking trio, composed of Riccardo Saponara, Massimo Maccarone and Manuel Pucciarelli.
On the other side, Vincenzo Montella will have to do without his injured players Carlos Carbonero, David Ivan and Jacopo Sala. The midfield will probably be composed by Fernando and Roberto Soriano, flanked by wing-backs Lorenzo De Silvestri and Dodo. Ricardo Alvarez and Antonio Cassano will create in the attacking half, with Fabio Quagliarella chosen by Montella as the only striker.
Form Guide: Empoli (L-L-L-L-D) – Sampdoria (W-W-L-D-L)
Expected Starting XIs:
Empoli: Skorupski, Laurini, Cosic, Ariaudo, Zambelli, Zielinski, Paredes, Croce, Saponara, Pucciarelli, Maccarone.
Sampdoria: Viviano, Cassani, Ranocchia, Moisander, De Silvestri, Fernando, Soriano, Dodo, Alvarez, Cassano, Quagliarella.
Infographic Courtesy of Sporticos.com.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com