MX23RW : Wednesday, June 26 08:56:12| >> :600:128973:128973:
[monks data]
Empoli logo
Serie A | Gameweek 38
May 26, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Stadio Carlo Castellani
Roma logo

Empoli
2 - 1
Roma

Cancellieri (13'), Niang (90+3')
Gyasi (2'), Destro (34'), Marin (81'), Niang (90')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Aouar (45+1')
Costa (90')

Preview: Empoli vs. Roma - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Empoli and Roma, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With only a win guaranteed to preserve their Serie A status, Empoli host Roma in Sunday's season finale.

After being denied victory deep into stoppage time last week, the Tuscan club must now take maximum points to make sure of staying up; their visitors, meanwhile, are bound for a sixth-place finish.


Match preview

Empoli's Emmanuel Gyasi and Empoli's Bartosz Bereszynski on April 28, 2024© Reuters

Both Sassuolo and Salernitana have already dropped through the trapdoor into Serie B, but one more team will join them this weekend, as the race to avoid relegation reaches its climax.

When M'Baye Niang put Empoli in front with a penalty after 90 minutes of last week's game against fellow strugglers Udinese, fans of the Azzurri could have been forgiven for thinking their side had sealed survival; however, Lazar Samardzic then converted a last-gasp spot kick at the other end and both teams' fate was left in the balance.

As a result, Empoli will now be relegated if they lose, and a draw may only be enough to take them into a possible playoff, so beating Roma is their only target at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Although Davide Nicola's men are one point shy of safety heading into the final day, winning will guarantee they stay up due to the two teams directly above them - Frosinone and Udinese - facing each other at the same time on Sunday evening.

A renowned escapologist, Nicola has previously saved clubs such as Crotone, Genoa and Salernitana from demotion, but his current side could pay the price for scoring the fewest goals in Serie A this season (27) - in fact, only Cadiz and Clermont have posted lower tallies throughout Europe's top 10 European leagues.

Failing to find the net against Roma could see Empoli pay the ultimate price and drop back down to Serie B; yet victory would see them secure a third straight top-flight season for the first time in their history.

AS Roma's Leandro Paredes celebrates scoring their first goal on May 9, 2024© Reuters

Having thumped Sunday's hosts 7-0 in September and last lost at the Castellani back in 2007, Roma will expect to continue their dominance over Empoli in the final fixture of an eventful campaign.

The capital club are seeking a ninth successive Serie A win over the Azzurri, but whatever the result this weekend, their Champions League fate is now out of their own hands.

Though Romelu Lukaku scored soon after Leandro Paredes was sent off in last week's 1-0 defeat of Genoa, the Giallorossi are already confirmed in sixth place due to their head-to-head records against Atalanta BC and old foes Lazio, who sit either side of them in the standings.

If Europa League winners Atalanta now finish fifth - by taking fewer than three points from their last two games - Italy will be awarded another seat at Europe's top table, allowing Roma to make a cherished Champions League return.

Despite ditching Jose Mourinho for club hero Daniele De Rossi in mid-season, they have essentially produced the same result, ending up sixth three years on the spin for the very first time; furthermore, Roma have 63 points on the board so far - the same total they finished on in both of the past two years.

For the sake of symbolism, if nothing else, De Rossi will want to surpass that tally as he looks forward to fulfilling his new three-year contract in the 'Eternal City'. Then, it is simply a case of hoping Atalanta fail to overtake Bologna.

Empoli Serie A form:

Roma Serie A form:


Roma form (all competitions):



Team News

Empoli coach Davide Nicola before the match on January 27, 2024© Reuters

Empoli boss Davide Nicola is without Alberto Cerri, who has suffered a thigh injury, so spot-kick specialist M'Baye Niang should start up front in Sunday's crucial contest - though veteran striker Francesco Caputo may also be considered for his penalty-box nous.

Full-back Tyronne Ebuehi is the Azzurri's only other injury absentee, but Alberto Grassi has been banned for three games due to his dismissal for threatening behaviour towards the referee when Udinese equalised with a late penalty last weekend.

Meanwhile, Roma will be without Leandro Paredes for similar reasons, as the Argentinian midfielder was handed a two-match suspension after insulting the officials in the Giallorossi's win over Genoa.

On-loan striker Romelu Lukaku must miss out due to yellow card accumulation, so Tammy Abraham could be handed a rare start alongside Paulo Dybala in attack.

The latter has been directly involved in six goals from three Serie A appearances against Empoli since moving to Rome, and only Capocannoniere leader Lautaro Martinez has played a part in more goals than Dybala (22) this season.

Linked with an exit during the summer transfer window, Leonardo Spinazzola may have already played his last game for Roma, due to a flexor injury.


Empoli possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Bereszynski, Ismajli, Luperto; Gyasi, Maleh, Marin, Bastoni, Pezzella; Cambiaghi, Niang

Roma possible starting lineup:
Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Bove, Cristante, Pellegrini; Dybala, Abraham, El Shaarawy


SM words green background

We say: Empoli 1-1 Roma

While Empoli's need for three points is far greater, it is hard to envisage the home side scoring more than once, given their woeful track record in front of goal.

Roma have little to play for and may settle for a draw, but whether that proves enough to save their hosts' skins remains to be seen.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:544440:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12403:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Empoli vs Roma

Empoli
27.2%
Draw
17.6%
Roma
55.2%
125
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi reacts on April 22, 2024
Read Next:
Sunday's Serie A predictions including Inter Milan vs. Lazio
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania21013
2 Belgium Belgium21013
3 Slovakia Slovakia21013
4 Ukraine Ukraine21013

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal22006
2 Turkey Turkey21013
3 Czech Republic Czech Republic20111
4 Georgia Georgia20111


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!