Empoli vs. Lazio Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 4 May 2025 - bettingexpert
As we head into Round 35 of Serie A, Empoli takes on Lazio at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. This match kicks off at 11:30 and holds significant weight for both sides, particularly Lazio, who are pushing for a European spot. Currently 7th in the standings with 60 points, Lazio are just outside the European qualification zones. Meanwhile, Empoli finds themselves in 19th place with 25 points, desperately needing a win to escape relegation.
Lazio come into this game as favourites, especially after their solid 2-2 draw against Parma. Empoli, on the other hand, have struggled, winning only 1 of their last 17 games. The bookmakers echo this, offering odds of 1.82 for a Lazio win.
With Empoli’s track record of conceding late goals and Lazio’s knack for scoring in the final quarter, our recommended bet is for Lazio to win. This dynamic makes a Lazio victory highly plausible in this crucial fixture.
But don’t count out Empoli just yet; they’re a team fighting for survival, and surprises happen. However, based on the form, odds, and crucial stats, Lazio seems poised to grab three points.
Empoli vs Lazio Prediction & Betting Tip
Our recommended bet for this matchup is a win for Lazio. Given the current form and standings, Lazio are the bookmakers’ favourites with odds of 1.82. Their consistent performance and Empoli’s struggles at the bottom make Lazio the clear choice.
| Empoli vs Lazio Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Lazio to win | 1.82 |
- Lazio have scored in five consecutive Serie A matches, showcasing their attacking prowess.
- Empoli haven’t tasted victory in their last 17 league games, indicating a rough patch.
- Lazio’s ability to score late goals matches Empoli’s tendency to concede in the final minutes, making a late winner likely.
Empoli vs Lazio Odds
This matchup sees Lazio as the bookmaker’s favourite, reflecting their superior form compared to struggling Empoli.
| Empoli vs Lazio Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Empoli | 4.31 |
| Draw | 3.57 |
| Lazio | 1.82 |
The odds clearly favour Lazio, who are chasing a European competition spot. Empoli’s recent poor form, with no wins in their last 17 Serie A games, further tilts the balance in favour of Lazio, who have been consistent and are performing well in the upper half of the table.
Empoli Team Analysis
Empoli Recent Performance
Here’s a snapshot of Empoli’s last five games:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiorentina | Empoli | 2025-04-27 | Serie A | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Bologna | Empoli | 2025-04-24 | Coppa Italia | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Empoli | Venezia | 2025-04-20 | Serie A | 2-2 (Draw) |
| SSC Napoli | Empoli | 2025-04-14 | Serie A | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Empoli | Cagliari | 2025-04-06 | Serie A | 0-0 (Draw) |
Empoli’s recent form has been less than encouraging, with three losses and two draws in their last five matches. They’ve managed an average of just 0.80 goals per game and kept only one clean sheet during this stretch. It’s clear they’ve struggled defensively and offensively, balancing on the edge of relegation.
Empoli Key Players
Empoli rely heavily on Sebastiano Esposito, their top scorer with 8 goals this season. He’ll need to be at his best against Lazio’s stout defense. In midfield, Faustino Anjorin and Jacopo Fazzini are crucial for transitioning play and creating scoring opportunities.
Expected lineup for Empoli:
- Goalkeeper: Devis Vasquez
- Defenders: Saba Goglichidze, Ardian Ismajli, Mattia Viti
- Midfielders: Emanuel Quartsin Gyasi, Viktor Kovalenko, Faustino Anjorin, Giuseppe Pezzella
- Attackers: Jacopo Fazzini, Liberato Cacace
- Striker: Sebastiano Esposito
Key individual battles include Esposito against Alessio Romagnoli, where Esposito’s finishing could prove decisive.
Empoli Suspensions & Injuries
Empoli are struggling with several significant injuries and suspensions that could severely affect their chances against Lazio. Here are the details:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Saba Sazonov | Cruciate ligament | Early June 2025 |
| Nicolas Haas | Cruciate ligament | Early August 2025 |
| Pietro Pellegri | Cruciate ligament | Out for the season |
| Youssef Maleh | Medial Collateral Ligament | Early June 2025 |
| Szymon Zurkowski | Knee injury | Early June 2025 |
| Christian Kouamé | Cruciate ligament | Mid December 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Henderson | Yellow cards | 1 match |
| Alberto Grassi | Post match sanction | 1 match |
These absences will force coach Roberto D’Aversa to significantly adjust his lineup and tactics, particularly in midfield and defense.
Empoli Tactics and Formation
Empoli Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Sebastiano Esposito
- Midfield Quartet: Emanuel Quartsin Gyasi, Viktor Kovalenko, Faustino Anjorin, Giuseppe Pezzella
- Defensive Trio: Saba Goglichidze, Ardian Ismajli, Mattia Viti
- Defensive Weakness: Conceded goals frequently, especially in the last quarter of matches (76-90 minutes).
Empoli’s typical formation sees them deploy three at the back with wingbacks providing width. They rely on Esposito to spearhead the attack, supported by two attacking midfielders in Jacopo Fazzini and Liberato Cacace. The midfield expects a lot of dynamism from Kovalenko and Anjorin, while the wingbacks look to overlap and provide crosses.
Given their position in the league, Empoli often adopts a cautious approach, trying to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack. However, injuries and suspensions have forced coach Roberto D’Aversa to frequently shuffle his personnel, impacting the team’s consistency and cohesion.
Lazio Team Analysis
Lazio Recent Performance
Here’s a look at Lazio’s last 5 matches:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lazio | Parma Calcio 1913 | 2025-04-28 | Serie A | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Genoa | Lazio | 2025-04-23 | Serie A | 0-2 (Win) |
| Lazio | Bodø/Glimt | 2025-04-17 | Europa League | 2-0 (Win) |
| Lazio | Roma | 2025-04-13 | Serie A | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Bodø/Glimt | Lazio | 2025-04-10 | Europa League | 2-0 (Loss) |
Lazio have shown strong form recently, with 2 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss in their last 5 matches (DWWDL). They average 2.0 goals per game and have kept 1 clean sheet in this period. Lazio have scored in five consecutive Serie A matches, indicating their offensive prowess. Defensively, they concede an average of 1.3 goals this season, reflecting a sturdy yet occasionally breachable backline. Given these stats, Lazio are well-positioned to capitalize on Empoli’s vulnerabilities.
Lazio Key Players
Expected lineup for Lazio:
- Goalkeeper: Christos Mandas
- Defenders: Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, Luca Pellegrini
- Midfielders: Matteo Guendouzi, Nicolo Rovella, Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia, Mattia Zaccagni
- Attacker: Valentin Castellanos
Lazio’s top scorer, Valentin Castellanos, with 10 goals, will look to exploit Empoli’s fragile defense. Creators like Boulaye Dia also play pivotal roles, providing assists and driving forward play. Defensively, Alessio Romagnoli will aim to marshal the backline against Empoli’s Sebastiano Esposito, setting up an intriguing battle.
Individual battles to watch include Castellanos vs Ardian Ismajli in the heart of Empoli’s defense, and Mattia Zaccagni on the wing facing Emmanuel Quartsin Gyasi. Keep an eye on these duels as they could determine the match’s outcome.
Lazio Suspensions & Injuries
Lazio will have to navigate this match without a few key players due to injuries, which could impact their overall performance and strategy.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Patric | Ankle injury | Early June 2025 |
| Nuno Tavares | Muscle injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Manuel Lazzari | Physical discomfort | Doubtful for this match |
In particular, the absence of Patric in defense could be a notable loss, adding more pressure on Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli at the back. Nuno Tavares’ muscle injury means they might lack some width and pace on the left flank, while Lazzari’s doubtful status raises questions about the team’s options on the right side.
Their absence means others will need to step up, especially in a crucial match where Lazio is pushing for a European spot.
Lazio Tactics and Formation
Lazio’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Valentin Castellanos
- Midfield Duo: Matteo Guendouzi, Nicolo Rovella
- Wings and Width: Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni
- Defensive Backbone: Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli
Lazio are likely to continue with their highly effective 4-2-3-1 formation. This setup allows them to build from the back with solid defensive duo Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli offering stability. Matteo Guendouzi and Nicolo Rovella provide a dual defensive midfield shield that helps in both breaking up opposition play and transitioning into attack. The attacking trio of Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia, and Mattia Zaccagni will look to exploit the flanks and create chances for their main striker, Valentin Castellanos.
Lazio’s offensive strength is evident as they average 2 goals per game over their last 5 matches. They also tend to be particularly effective in the 76-90-minute interval, where they score most of their goals.
Empoli vs Lazio Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lazio | Empoli | 2024-10-06 | Serie A | 2-1 (Win) |
| Lazio | Empoli | 2024-05-12 | Serie A | 2-0 (Win) |
| Empoli | Lazio | 2023-12-22 | Serie A | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Empoli | Lazio | 2023-06-03 | Serie A | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Lazio | Empoli | 2023-01-08 | Serie A | 2-2 (Draw) |
Lazio have dominated recent encounters, winning four of the last five matches against Empoli. Their strong track record against Empoli suggests they are clear favourites in this upcoming match.
Odds accurate as of 05.02.2025 11:31, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
