Venezia FC is set to host Empoli FC in a significant Serie A clash at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo on Saturday, January 4, 2025. This encounter marks Week 19 of the season and pits the struggling hosts, currently lanterne rossa, against the mid-table Tuscans who are also in need of points.
Venezia enters the match at the bottom of the league standings, having accumulated only three victories so far this season. Their latest outing saw them suffer another defeat, this time at the hands of Napoli, losing 1-0. With just 17 goals to their name and 31 conceded, they face dire threats of relegation as the season progresses. "We need to turn things around, and this is one of those matches where we must secure all three points to break the chain of losses," said Venezia's head coach.
Empoli, on the other hand, secured their last league outing against Genoa with disappointing results, losing 2-1 and marking their fourth loss out of the last five games. Although they sit 13th, the Azzurri could find themselves only six points clear of the relegation zone with another defeat, amplifying the stakes as they travel to Venice.
Both teams enter this fixture with similar offensive woes; they are jointly ranked third worst for goals scored, having netted only 17 goals each throughout the campaign. They are also among the bottom teams for defensive records, with Empoli conceding 21 goals and Venezia surrendering the most goals to date with 31.
Each side is gearing up for the battle with the expectation of bolstering their credentials. For Venezia, the hosts have two notable absentees: Domen Crnigoj and Alfred Duncan are unable to participate. The Lagunari are set up as follows: Stankovic; Idzes, Sverko, Altare; Zampano, Nicolussi Caviglia, Busio, Carboni, Ellertson; Oristanio, Pohjanpalo.
Empoli also faces challenges with several players out, including Ola Solbakken, Jacopo Fazzini, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Szymon Zurkowski. D’Aversa's likely lineup includes: Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo.
Historically, the teams have met 19 times, with Venezia boasting eight wins, four for Empoli, and seven matches ending level. The last game between them, dated January 16, 2022, ended evenly with both teams scoring, which reflects their fairly balanced rivalry. Head-to-head statistics indicate the hosts have only failed to score twice against Empoli throughout their history, which speaks volumes about the attacking potential of Venezia’s squad, especially coming off their 5-3 win against Sampdoria earlier this year.
Looking back at past performances, Venezia will aim to break their streak of home games lacking consecutive wins since 2000. They managed to win their last Serie A home game against Cagliari 2-1 and are hoping for another favorable outcome as they push through January. Meanwhile, Empoli has been struggling to make landmarks away from home, losing two out of the last three matches and are seeking to bounce back from their prior defeats.
With tensions mounting, both sides are under pressure not only to perform but to transform their respective seasons. The likelihood of scoring suggests both teams have shown at least some attacking intent lately, making the betting odds reveal possibilities for overs, especially as four of Venezia’s last five matches contributed over 2.5 goals to final scores.
Kickoff is set for 15:00 GMT (10:00 AM ET), with live coverage available on DAZN, ensuring fans can follow this important fixture. Analysts are closely monitoring the match; predictions hint at tight competition, with many believing the Lagunari may edge out with a narrow 2-1 victory, showing strong hope of reversing their performance fortunes.
With the match approaching, both sets of players will undoubtedly feel the pressure of their respective leagues—Venezia striving for survival and Empoli for security away from relegation concerns. The tension surrounding the stadium promises what could be one of the season's more captivating encounters.