Empoli host AC Milan in a Serie A fixture on Saturday, with both teams battling at different ends of the table. The Rossoneri are pushing for a European place and should have the upper hand over the home side, who are battling around the relegation zone.
The hosts need a swift upturn in form having failed to earn a win in their last eight matches in all competitions. They have been beaten six times in that run and suffered a 4-1 defeat at Juventus in their previous Serie A fixture.
Roberto D’Aversa’s men are now just one point above the relegation zone and could be dragged in if results do not go their way this weekend. They have had little joy at home this season and are winless in their last three matches at the Stadio Carlo Castellani, suffering three defeats in that run.
Sitting eighth in the table, seven points from the top four, AC Milan need a big push for a Champions League place. They have shown some flashes of quality lately and are unbeaten in four of their last five matches in all competitions, playing out a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan last time out in Serie A before a 3-1 Coppa Italia victory over Roma in midweek.
There are often goals when AC Milan play, with three of their last four matches in all competitions producing over 2.5 goals. Sergio Conceicao’s men have also earned some good results on the road in recent weeks, winning two of their last three Serie A away matches.
How the bookies view it: Rossoneri to triumph
AC Milan have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 6/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Empoli are considered outsiders, with a home win valued at 4/1 with BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 5/2 for a draw.
Head to head: Smooth sailing for Milan
AC Milan have an 18-3 advantage with eight draws from 29 previous matches against Empoli. The Rossoneri have won the last three meetings and claimed a 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in November, with Tijjani Reijnders netting a brace.
Players to watch: Reijnders on the money
Reijnders’ goals from midfield have been vital for AC Milan this season and the Dutchman has scored in his last two Serie A matches. He also netted a brace in the reverse fixture and is priced at 5/2 by BoyleSports to find the net once again.
Despite their struggles this season, Empoli are still showing some attacking quality, with Sebastiano Esposito scoring eight Serie A goals so far. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on and is priced at 7/2 by BoyleSports to find the net on Saturday.
Probable line-ups
Empoli have a lengthy injury list with Ardian Ismajli, Ola Solbakken, Tyronne Ebuehi and Pietro Pellegri all sidelined while Youssef Maleh is suspended. However German Pezzella is back from suspension and should return to the defence while Esposito is set to continue in attack.
January signing Santiago Gimenez is sidelined with Injury and will miss Saturday’s clash. Fellow new arrival Kyle Walker has gone straight into the team and should continue at right-back while Joao Felix is likely to settle for another appearance off the bench despite scoring on his debut in midweek.
Empoli: Vazquez, Goglichidze, Pezzella, Marianucci, De Sciglio, Henderson, Zurkowski, Cacace, Gyasi, Esposito, Colombo
AC Milan: Maignan, Hernandez, Pavlovic, Tomori, Walker, Fofana, Musah, Reijnders Leao, Pulisic, Abraham
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have quality in attack and can be backed to score on Saturday at 3/4 by BoyleSports. AC Milan have seen over 2.5 goals in three of their last four matches in all competitions and a repeat is priced at 4/5 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 21/10 for over 3.5 goals.
With AC Milan often producing goals in their matches, a win and over 2.5 goals can be considered at 6/4 with BoyleSports. The Rossoneri have scored in both halves in two of the last three matches against Empoli and a similar outcome is priced at 13/8 with BoyleSports.
This Serie A match between Empoli and AC Milan will be played on Feb 8, 2025 and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Empoli vs AC Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
