Empoli vs Torino 19/05/19

19 May 2019

The Serie A relegation fighters and the Europa League promotion contenders go head-to-head on Sunday as Empoli welcome Torino to the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Sitting one point adrift of 17th-placed Genoa, Empoli have to make something out of this game to boost their chances of avoiding relegation. The hosts’ sudden rise has seen them go from four consecutive Serie A games without a win (D1, L3) to back-to-back league wins. Far more comfortable at home, the Blues have grabbed 27 of their total 35 SA points at this venue (77.14%), with eight of their nine SA wins coming at home. Also, Aurelio Andreazzoli’s men won four of eight SA home games in 2019 (W4, D2, L2), with three of those victories being settled by a narrow one-goal margin. Another encouraging fact for Empoli is that they’ve scored 2+ match goals in six of eight SA fixtures since the turn of the year.

Meanwhile, Torino reside two points below sixth-placed AS Roma and can still reach the Europa League qualification, especially considering their recent form. Unbeaten in their last eight SA outings (W4, D4), the visitors hope to post their elusive first SA away win over Empoli in the 21st century (D5, L1). But, even though they’ve lost just one of 18 SA away fixtures – less than any other team in Italy, the Maroons have played out 13 draws – more than any other SA side (W4, D13, L1). What’s more, just five of those clashes have produced over 2.5 goals (28%), which is the joint-worst SA record. Torino’s stubborn defending has seen them keep four clean sheets on their last seven SA road trips while restricting their opponents in the remaining three.