Empoli vs Napoli

Stadio Carlo Castellani sets the stage for an exciting Serie A encounter between early surprise package Empoli and pacesetters Napoli.

Despite throwing away an early lead in a 2-1 defeat at Lazio right before the international break, Empoli are enjoying their best Serie A start in nearly 20 years. Roberto D’Aversa’s men had gone unbeaten in the opening six league rounds (W2, D4) before collapsing in Rome, while they also ousted Torino en route to the Coppa Italia Round of 16. However, Empoli’s home record remains dire, with all three Serie A matches on this ground in 2024/25 ending 0-0. That’s not disappointing from the home team’s perspective, considering they held Juventus and Fiorentina in that stretch. Another upset is well on the cards, considering ‘Gli Azzurri’ have won three of their last four home league encounters against Napoli.

Napoli’s only win in that run came in February 2023 en route to their first Scudetto in 33 years. With new manager Antonio Conte bidding to guide ‘I Partenopei’ back to the throne, a repeat would be a welcoming boost. Napoli will take this trip in high spirits after a 3-0 demolition of Como before the international break extended their unbeaten league streak to five matches (W4, D1), catapulting them to the table’s summit. However, there’s no room for complacency, with second-placed Inter Milan only two points adrift. On top of that, the visitors have blown hot and cold across their three Serie A travels this season (W1, D1, L1), with each seeing one or both sides fail to score.