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

The Azzurri ended in the league's bottom seven last term, while Verona needed a relegation playoff to stay in the division.

Match preview

A new campaign is imminent in Italy, with Empoli looking to start 2023-24 positively after flirting with relegation last season.

Paolo Zanetti's men ended in 14th, 12 points clear of Spezia and Verona, but they were in danger of being sucked into that tussle during the season.

The results below them meant the Blues were assured topflight participation this season, but Empoli cannot slack off this term.

However, they must navigate this season without Guglielmo Vicario, whose shot-stopping was crucial to game-saving points in 22-23, leaving Zanetti's men somewhat vulnerable.

Emmanuel Gyasi has arrived from relegated Spezia, as has Daniel Maldini, on loan from AC Milan, with Francesco Caputo giving the hosts much-needed experience after his loan deal from relegated Sampdoria became permanent as the club avoided relegation.

Whether Empoli have enough remains to be seen, but supporters at the Castellani look forward to their season opener this weekend.

They welcome a Verona side that nearly went down last term only to survive the dreaded playoff clash with Spezia after both clubs ended on 31 points after 38 games.

A 3-1 triumph secured the Mastiffs' league participation, but they hope to avoid putting their emotions through the wringer again in the new season.

Travelling to Empoli gives them a decent chance to start the campaign encouragingly, even if they have not defeated their hosts since November 2021.

Be that as it may, further inspection of recent meetings since Verona's 2-1 triumph over Empoli at the Bentegodi two years ago shows the last three results have been stalemates.

New boss Marco Baroni took charge at the start of July and has already overseen a 3-1 Coppa Italia victory over Ascoli, but the real business begins on Saturday.

Empoli form (all competitions):

Hellas Verona form (all competitions):

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Team News

Empoli's new signings could feature in Saturday's game for the home side, with Zanetti aiming to start the campaign on a high.

Caputo scored in the disappointing 2-1 Coppa Italia loss to Serie B's Cittadella last weekend, thus giving the hosts the motivation to right the wrongs of that reverse.

Thomas Henry is not back in action after a cruciate ligament rupture in January.

Davide Faraoni was red-carded in the playoff victory over Spezia, possibly ruling out the 31-year-old through suspension.

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Henderson, Marin; Gyasi, Grassi, Piccoli; Caputo

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:

Montipo; Magnani, Hien, Coppola; Terracciano, Hongla, Dawidowicz, Doig; Ngonge, Mboula; Duric

We say: Empoli 1-1 Hellas Verona

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