Empolivs.Cagliari

After the Azzurri were well beaten in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final, they host visitors who picked up three precious points last weekend.

Match preview

Having sensationally knocked out local rivals Fiorentina and fallen giants Juventus in previous rounds, Empoli made it into the Coppa Italia's last four for the very first time, and they welcomed Bologna to Tuscany for Tuesday's first leg.

The hosts were simply swept aside, though, as Italy's form team cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win, with Roberto D'Aversa's much-changed side having just a third of the ball and recording only a single shot on target.

That defeat leaves the Azzurri with a surely impossible task for the second leg at Stadio Dall'Ara, which will take place later this month, so their fight for top-flight survival continues to take priority.

During an awful slump, Empoli have lost seven of their last eight home games - including all of the last four without even scoring - and their last league win anywhere dates back to December.

Another failure this week would equal the club's longest winless streak in Serie A: 16 matches, set between the end of 2021 and April 2022.

Last weekend, Christian Kouame scored his first league goal for almost a year, securing a point away to Como, but they still sit inside the drop zone with just eight rounds remaining.

Though they were beaten 2-0 in September's reverse fixture, Cagliari have avoided defeat in their last two away games against Empoli, having lost on six of their seven previous top-flight trips to Stadio Castellani.

The Rossoblu's boss Davide Nicola - a renowned survival specialist, who saved Empoli's skin last season - now returns to Tuscany aiming to guide his current club further away from danger.

Three second-half strikes saw the Sardinian side claim victory over rock-bottom Monza last week, as they pulled clear of the relegation zone: Nicolas Viola, Gianluca Gaetano and Zito Luvumbo all helped themselves to goals after half time.

Six points above their hosts before Sunday's game, Cagliari are therefore on course to avoid demotion and could secure a third straight season in Serie A.

They are still far from the finish line, though, so posting back-to-back league wins for the first time in a year is their next target.

On current form, they may fancy their chances in Empoli; however, Nicola's men have won just one of their last 12 away fixtures - and none since beating Monza in January.

Empoli Serie A form:

L

L

D

L

L

D

Empoli form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

D

L

Cagliari Serie A form:

D

L

L

D

L

W

Team News

After rotating his squad for Tuesday's cup defeat - bringing in third-choice goalkeeper Jacopo Seghetti and several other youngsters - Roberto D'Aversa will pick his strongest available team on Sunday.

Empoli have been without several players due to injury for much of the season, and their long list of absentees still includes Youssef Maleh, Szymon Zurkowski, Ardian Ismajli, Nicolas Haas, Pietro Pellegri and Marco Silvestri.

While Ola Solbakken recently returned from a three-month layoff, and Scottish midfielder Liam Henderson is back in action after serving a Coppa Italia suspension, Jacopo Fazzini and captain Emmanuel Gyasi are both banned this weekend.

Cagliari, meanwhile, could have a full squad available, with Slovakian defender Adam Obert the visitors' only known fitness doubt.

Former Empoli loanee Roberto Piccoli should start up front, but there is plenty of competition for places just behind him.

After netting the opener last week, Nicolas Viola has scored two goals in his last three league games - as many as throughout the previous 23 - while Zito Luvumbo, Florinel Coman, Gianluca Gaetano and Mattia Felici are also vying for selection.

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti; Sambia, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Kouame

Cagliari possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Adopo, Prati, Augello; Viola, Felici; Piccoli

We say: Empoli 0-1 Cagliari

Though Empoli rested several key men in midweek, even their first-choice side have produced just one home win all season - and a meagre five league goals at the Castellani.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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