Cagliari vs Empoli Prediction & Betting Tips (20 September)

Close to the descent last year, Cagliari took 16th place in Serie A with a small point ahead of the red zone. This hold on the final day was accompanied by popular jubilation and sounded the death knell for the immense career of coach Claudio Ranieri. Under the orders of Davide Nicola, the Sardinians are struggling so far. They started by sharing the points, at home, against Roma 0-0 and Como 1-1. Subsequently, Cagliari lost to Lecce 1-0 before suffering a correction against Naples last weekend 0-4.

17th in Serie A last year with the same number of points as their opponent of the day, Empoli is logically expected in the fight for maintenance this season. Roberto D'Aversa's men are beating the odds for the moment. Indeed, they are now in 8th place in the standings and have not lost any of their first 4 championship matches. Victorious to everyone's surprise on the Roma field during the 2nd day, Empoli otherwise drew against Monza 0-0, Bologna 1-1 and Juventus last weekend 0-0.

Cagliari still has to do without promising midfielder Prati (20), who has not sufficiently recovered from his injury. Otherwise, it’s all hands on deck this Friday. We think in particular of the defense captain Yerry Mina, the important midfielder Gaetano or even the attacker Piccoli who scored the only goal for the Sardinians since the start of the championship. This summer, left the senior defender Dossena (Como), the starting midfielders Sulemana (Atalanta) and Nandez (Al-Qadsiah) and the less important Hatzidiakos (Copenhagen), Delpupo (Saint-Truiden) and Altare (Venice). On the other hand, goalkeeper Sherri (Egnatia), defenders Luperto (Empoli) and Palomino (Atalanta), midfielders Gaetano (Naples) and Adopo (Atalanta) and attackers Zortea (Atalanta), Felici (Feralpisalo) and Piccoli (Atalanta) have arrived. Empoli remains without the important defender Ebuehi, the starting attacking midfielder Zurkowski (2nd top scorer last season), the promising playmaker Fazzini and the substitutes Perisan and Belardinelli, all on the flank. In addition, the participation of Norwegian international Solbakken is not assured.

The team only conceded 2 goals in the first 4 days. To start in front, Colombo (1 goal and 1 assist in SA) is currently in the favor of his coach. The piston Gyasi (2 goals in SA) stands out. During the offseason, Empoli let defense captains Walukiewicz (Torino) and Luperto (Cagliari) leave. In addition, attackers Niang (without contract), Caputo (without contract) and Destro (without contract) were left free at the end of their contract as was goalkeeper Berisha (without contract). Conversely, the leaders have set their sights on goalkeeper Brancolini (Lecce) and playmaker Anjorin (Chelsea) while De Sciglio (Juventus), Sambia (Salernitana), Sazonov (Torino), Vasquez (AC Milan) , Viti (Nice), Solbakken (Roma), Esposito (Inter) and Colombo (AC Milan) arrived on loan.