Empoli vs Genoa

Stadio Carlo Castellani forms the backdrop for a bottom-half Serie A encounter between Empoli and Genoa.

Despite suffering three defeats across their last four Serie A outings (W1), Empoli can be proud of their performance in a dramatic 3-2 loss at Atalanta a week ago. Roberto D’Aversa’s men could still end the calendar year in the upper half of the table with a win against Genoa, a side the 49-year-old coach has defeated more often (W6, L3) than any other team during his managerial career. However, Carlo Castellani has been a feeble fortress this season, with Empoli winning just once in eight home league outings (W1, D4, L3). Indeed, only two Serie A clubs have collected fewer home points than Empoli’s seven. As if that’s not disappointing enough, ‘Gli Azzurri’ failed to get on the scoresheet in six of those eight matches.

On the other hand, Patrick Vieira’s unbeaten start at Genoa (W1, D3) ended abruptly at the hands of Napoli last weekend (1-2). However, Vieira’s charges delivered an emphatic second-half performance after falling to a 2-0 halftime deficit, netting only their 14th Serie A goal this season. Only Lecce (11) lament a worse goalscoring record than the Griffins, yet they’ve compensated for their attacking shortcomings with rock-solid defensive displays. Indeed, they’ve already racked up three clean sheets in five league matches under Vieira. Two of those shutouts contributed to their three-match unbeaten league streak away from home (W1, D2). Therefore, another low-scoring fixture could be on the cards, especially considering Genoa’s last three meetings with Empoli have featured under 2.5 goals.