As the new year begins, Venezia and Empoli are set to face off in a crucial Serie A match at the Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on Saturday. Both teams will be eager to start 2025 on a positive note after ending the previous year with defeats.
Venezia, currently battling relegation, showed signs of improvement in December despite a recent 1-0 loss to Napoli. The Lagunari managed a three-match unbeaten streak before that setback and will look to build on their home victory against Cagliari. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side has not recorded consecutive home wins in Serie A since January 2000, a feat they’ll be keen to achieve this weekend.
Empoli, on the other hand, have been sliding down the table after a promising start to the season. Three consecutive losses, including a 2-1 defeat to Genoa, have left them just five points clear of the relegation zone. Despite their recent struggles, Empoli’s away form has been notably better than their home performances this season.
Team News
In team news, Venezia continue to deal with several injuries. Michael Svoboda, Alfred Duncan, Richie Sagrado, and Antonio Raimondo remain sidelined. Di Francesco may opt for an unchanged lineup, though Joel Pohjanpalo could replace John Yeboah up front. Gaetano Oristanio, who has been involved in two goals in his last two home games, is expected to play a key role.
Empoli faces their own injury woes, with Pietro Pellegri, Ola Solbakken, Szymon Zurkowski, Tyronne Ebuehi, Nicolas Haas, Saba Sazonov, and Mattia Viti all unavailable. Young striker Sebastiano Esposito, despite missing a penalty last week, has been in good form away from home and is likely to partner Lorenzo Colombo in attack.
Expected Starting XIs
Venezia: Stankovic; Altare, Idzes, Sverko; Zampano, Andersen, Nicolussi Caviglia, Ellertsson; Oristanio, Busio; Pohjanpalo
Empoli: Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Pezzella; Gyasi, Anjorin, Grassi, Henderson, Cacace; Esposito, Colombo
Match Prediction
The match promises to be a closely contested affair. Venezia’s improving form at home will be tested against Empoli’s better away record. With both teams desperate for points to climb away from the relegation zone, we can expect an intense and potentially high-scoring encounter to kick off the new year in Serie A.
Prediction: Venezia 1 – 1 Empoli
