On the 24th of February, football fans are in for an exciting Serie A clash as Sassuolo welcomes Empoli to the MAPEI Stadium - Città del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia. This encounter promises to be a captivating fixture as both teams fight for crucial points in the league.
Match analysis
Looking at the statistics, it's clear that both teams have had their struggles recently. Sassuolo, particularly, finds themselves in a daunting position. With a form of LDLLL, they are teetering on the brink of the relegation zone, positioned at 17th in the league standings. This match therefore becomes a must-win in their quest for survival.
Empoli, on the other hand, exhibits a comparatively resilient form with a recent record of DWDDW. Positioned just above Sassuolo at 16th, they have shown a bit more stability, but by no means can they be complacent. The thin margin separating them from the drop zone makes every point crucial.
Recent form
Sassuolo's performances in the last ten games reveal a concerning trend with a majority of losses (70%) and a single win, drawing twice. Their goal scoring has equally suffered, managing only a mere six goals while conceding 17. Especially worrisome is their inability to score in 50% of those matches, signaling a need for major improvements offensively.
Contrastingly, Empoli demonstrates a more balanced recent form. With three wins, four draws, and three losses in their last ten matches, they've managed to net 9 goals while conceding 10. Their ability to score in 70% of these games, particularly in a solid 3-1 victory against Salernitana, suggests a spark in their attacking play that Sassuolo currently lacks.
Head to head
- The last meeting between these two sides ended in a high-scoring affair with Sassuolo edging Empoli 4-3.
- Sassuolo seems to have the upper hand in recent encounters, winning three out of the last five matchups.
- Goal-fest has been a common theme, with at least four goals scored in four out of their last five meets.
- Percentage of team wins in recent H2H: Sassuolo 60%, Empoli 20%, Draws 20%.
Prediction
Given the current form and historical encounters between Sassuolo and Empoli, this match is anticipated to be fiercely contested, with both teams desperate for points. However, Sassuolo's lackluster offensive performance combined with their defensive fragility poses significant concerns.
Empoli, although not without their issues, have shown a greater propensity to find the back of the net and have managed to secure vital points against higher-ranked opponents.
Given these factors and the head-to-head dynamics, the betting tip would be to expect goals in this match. An Over 2.5 goals bet seems promising, considering the goal-rich history of their encounters. Additionally, considering Empoli's slightly better form and the high-scoring potential, both teams to score (BTTS) could also be a value bet.
A full time score prediction taking into account all of the above-mentioned factors leads to an anticipated closely fought 2-2 draw, ensuring both teams walk away with a crucial point in their battle for survival.
