Preview: Empoli vs. Hellas Verona - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have collected two points from their opening three league matches, while Verona have just one point to their name

Match preview

Empoli's season began in a disappointing fashion after they were eliminated in extra-time by Serie B side SPAL in the first round of the Coppa Italia.

While they failed to progress in the cup, Wednesday's hosts have also struggled to get up and running in the top-flight, recording only two points from three games.

A 1-0 away defeat to Spezia was followed by a goalless draw against Fiorentina, while they saw another encounter finish all square at the weekend.

Fabiano Parisi opened the scoring in Empoli's away trip to Lecce before the hosts equalised through Gabriel Strefezza in the 40th minute and with no side able to find a winner in the second half, the visitors had to settle for a point.

With Paolo Zanetti still waiting for his first victory as Empoli boss, he will hope a home encounter against another winless side can help his side claim their first three points of the season.

Like their opponents, Verona also have a new man in the dugout for the 2021-22 season, with Gabriele Cioffi handed the reins after Igor Tudor left the club.

Cioffi's tenure began with a disappointing 4-1 home defeat against second-tier opponents Bari in the Coppa Italia, before they conceded five more goals in a 5-2 defeat to Napoli on the opening weekend of the Serie A season.

After conceding nine goals in two matches, the Gialloblu were able to steady the ship in their second league game, drawing 1-1 away to Bologna.

However, they were unable to avoid a third consecutive home defeat in all competitions at the weekend, with Teun Koopmeiners scoring to guide Atalanta to a 1-0 win over Cioffi's side.

Although they have started the season poorly, Verona can draw confidence from the fact they are unbeaten in their last four Serie A away matches.

Empoli Serie A form:

Empoli form (all competitions):

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

Hellas Verona form (all competitions):

Team News

Nicolo Cambiaghi and Lorenzo Tonelli are expected to miss out for the hosts due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

After coming off the bench to feature in the second half against Lecce, Nedim Bajrami could come into the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest.

Mattia Destro dropped out of the side for the weekend's contest, but he could return to partner Martin Satriano in the frontline.

As for the visitors, they are with the services of Roberto Piccoli and Pawel Dawidowicz, who are both sidelined with injury issues.

Cioffi could decide to bring Isak Hien into the backline to form a three-man defence alongside Diego Coppola and Koray Gunter.

Having scored all three of Verona's goals between them this season, Kevin Lasagna and Thomas Henry will continue to lead the line for the visitors.

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Stojanovic, Ismajli, De Winter, Parisi; Bandinelli, Marin, Henderson, Bajrami; Destro, Satriano

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Coppola, Hien, Gunter; Terracciano, Tameze, Ilic, Veloso; Lazovic; Lasagna, Henry

We say: Empoli 1-1 Hellas Verona

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