Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Serie A match.
Despite a patchy run of form, Napoli remain firmly in the Scudetto race. Following Inter Milan’s 3:1 win against Cagliari, the hosts cannot afford any missteps in their home fixture against an Empoli side who have been underperforming for several weeks.
Napoli
Since early March, Napoli have gone five matches unbeaten, including two critical wins over high-level opposition. Against Fiorentina and AC Milan (both 2:1), the team controlled the tempo, generating 3.84 xG across 180 minutes. For the upcoming fixture, Napoli will be without Frank Anguissa and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, both serving suspensions due to yellow card accumulation. Nevertheless, the squad is expected to remain defensively solid — they have conceded just 11 goals and posted 13.07 xGA in 15 home matches, both of which are the best statistics in the league.
Empoli
Empoli have been hampered by persistent squad issues throughout the season, with nine players currently sidelined. The team are winless in their last 13 matches — the joint-worst run in the league alongside Monza — and have managed to score only seven goals in that stretch. Only Hellas Verona have a less effective attack, with six goals. In their most recent outing against top-tier opposition, Empoli were comprehensively beaten, falling 0:3 to Bologna in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Napoli vs Empoli Prediction
In the reverse fixture during Matchweek 8, Napoli claimed a 1:0 away victory over Empoli, courtesy of a successful penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. With home advantage this time and a clear gap in form and quality, the hosts are backed to win with a handicap.
