Empoli are fresh off of a miraculous comeback win against Napoli in Serie A. A week ago, the Azzurri were down 2-0 with 80 minutes played before mounting a come from behind 3-2 win.
Now, the Azzurri host Torino in a clash between two midtable teams. Empoli are 14th in the Serie A table with 37 points from 34 matches.
Torino are 11th in the Serie A standings with 44 points from 34 fixtures this season. Il Toro are quietly on a great run of form in Serie A ahead of this weekend’s clash. Torino are unbeaten in five straight matches in the league.
Ivan Juric’s side can finish the campaign strongly and could move into Serie A’s top 10 with a win this weekend and results going their way elsewhere. Torino are coming off of a brilliant 4-4 draw with Atalanta a week ago.
The reverse fixture between these teams finished 2-2. Torino jumped out to an early lead through Tommaso Pobega in the 10th minute. Marko Pjaca made it 2-0 after 15 minutes.
Torino were in the driver’s seat until Wilfried Singo was sent off on 32 minutes. It allowed Empoli to fight back as Simone Romagnoli scored on 34 minutes to halve the deficit. In the 72nd minute, Empoli levelled the score thanks to a goal from Andrea La Mantia.
Juric’s injury list has improved at Torino. Just four names currently make up the injury list as defender Armando Izzo is likely to miss with a hamstring strain. Magnus Warming is a doubt with a hip problem.
Fellow forward Simone Zaza has a knee problem and midfielder Mohamed Fares is nursing a ligament issue. Both players are likely to miss the game.
Empoli’s Filippo Bandinelli is suspended for the fixture and will play no part. Defender Lorenzo Tonelli is a doubt to play due to injury. Midfielder Nicolas Haas has a meniscus injury which could rule him out of action.
Torino picked up nine points from their last 18 points on offer in the league. Empoli, on the other hand, took just five points from the last 18 points on offer.
Il Toro are third in Serie A in terms of most draws with 11 from 34 matches. Empoli have drawn 10 of their 34 games in the league.
Sunday’s game should see these teams play out another stalemate. Like their previous meeting in Serie A, expect a score draw as these teams finish 1-1 in Florence.