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Monza
Serie A | Gameweek 2
Aug 26, 2023 at 5.30pm UK
U-Power Stadium
Empoli logo

Monza
2 - 0
Empoli

Colpani (45', 53')
Izzo (8')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Baldanzi (1'), Haas (90+5')

Preview: Monza vs. Empoli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Monza and Empoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Monza and Empoli search for their first points of the new Serie A season when they face off at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.

The Biancorossi lost at last season's beaten Champions League finalists Inter Milan, while the away side were beaten 1-0 on their turf to Hellas Verona.


Match preview

Monza's Luca Caldirola celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 15, 2023© Reuters

Luca Caldirola scored the only goal at San Siro in mid-April, but Monza could not replicate that stunning 1-0 win over Simone Inzaghi's men last weekend.

This time, a Lautaro Martinez brace was enough for the Nerazzurri, who began the year with a routine victory over last year's new boys — a side that earned four points against Inter in 2022-23.

Raffaele Palladino's troops look for their first victory of their second year in Italy's top division, and the last meeting between these clubs gives the hosts reason to be optimistic.

They picked up a 2-1 victory over Empoli in March, with Armando Izzo scoring a 67th-minute winner for Monza on that occasion.

A repeat will be welcome, especially as the Biancorossi seek to avoid second-season blues in Serie A.

Empoli's Guglielmo Vicario celebrates after the match on August 28, 2021© Reuters

As for Empoli, a 1-0 defeat against last season's relegation playoff survivors must have hurt, as they did enough to come away with a point on the balance of play at the Castellani.

They cannot mope for long, with a visit to Monza this weekend, when they aim to end a winless run at the U-Power Stadium.

On their two visits to Lombardy, they have failed to come away with maximum points, picking up a draw in a Serie B encounter in February 2021 and losing 2-1 five months ago.

They could be third-time lucky this time, although a wretched away record last season (two wins from 19) suggests disappointment is more likely.

However, the motivation to end that run could inspire a top performance at the U-Power Stadium on Saturday.

Monza Serie A form:

Monza form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L


Empoli Serie A form:

Empoli form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L


Team News

Monza coach Raffaele Palladino reacts on May 14, 2023© Reuters

Andrea Colpani's injury at San Siro last week means the midfielder is doubtful for gameweek two and could be replaced by Samuele Birindelli.

Davide Bettella is out of this weekend's game with an ankle injury, so Palladino is expected to keep the same centre-backs from last week's defeat by Inter.

However, Izzo's return from suspension could force an alteration in central defence, even if Monza are likely to keep a back three on Saturday.

Just like last week, Daniel Maldini, Jacopo Fazzini and Sebastian Walukiewicz are sidelined for Empoli, and the trio will not play this weekend.

Zanetti's men suffered no fresh injuries in-game against Verona, so a side resembling last week's participant could be utilised in a 4-2-3-1 formation.


Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; D'Ambrosio, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Birindelli, Gagliardini, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Maric, Caprari

Empoli possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Ebuehi, Ismajli, Luperto, Cacace; Marin, Grassi; Cancellieri, Baldanzi, Gyasi; Caputo


SM words green background

We say: Monza 2-1 Empoli

There is little between the teams, but Monza could nick a slender win against Empoli, whose winless run at the U-Power Stadium should continue this weekend.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Monza vs Empoli

Monza
50.0%
Draw
30.0%
Empoli
20.0%
20
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Inter Milan's Sebastiano Esposito celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on August 1, 2023
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli118121881025
2Inter Milan1173125131224
3Atalanta BCAtalanta1171329141522
4Fiorentina116412291322
5Lazio1171324141022
6Juventus115601971221
7AC Milan105231711617
8Udinese115151416-216
9Bologna103611211115
10Torino114251516-114
11Empoli1135389-114
12Roma113441214-213
13Hellas VeronaHellas Verona114071624-812
14Como122461323-1010
15Genoa12246922-1310
16CagliariCagliari11236919-109
17Parma111641417-39
18Monza111551014-48
19VeneziaVenezia112271019-98
20Lecce11227420-168


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