Bottom of the table Sampdoria will host mid-table Empoli in a match where both sides’ fate for the season are already mostly determined. Sampdoria face relegation and look to prepare to bounce straight back up from Serie B, whereas Empoli need just a point from 3 games to ensure survival.
Internazionale legend Dejan Stankovic was brought in to try and turn Sampdorias’s already dreadful season around after Marco Giampaolo failed to have the desired effect. Nut the Serbian has been unable to guide this famous Italian side away from the drop. With their destiny this year sealed, they look to lick their wounds and at least give their fans hope for the future as they look to rebuild and bounce back into Italy’s premier competition next year. As they have only won just one other home game this season, it isn’t looking too good and the Genoan’s are without a win in their last five, picking up just two hard-fought draws. They will also be unable to call on the services of Mehdi Léris and will most likely be without regular keeper Emil Audero, former Italian international Andrea Conti at the back or the on-loan Ignacio Pussetto. The experienced Tomas Rincon is also suspended for this game and will be unable to partner Harry Winks in the middle. This could be an opportunity for Stankovic to give some of Sampdoria’s fringe and younger players a chance to prove themselves as assets for next season’s trials, although it is unconfirmed if the influential Stankovic will remain at the helm for another season.
Empoli are looking to finish consistently this season, as they finished in 14th place in the previous term as well. Their recent form is much better and are coming off the back of two consecutive wins against Salernitana and Bologna, although in previous weeks they have lost to ten-man Sassuolo and emphatically to Inter, 0-3. They are still not mathematically safe, but one more win will ensure their survival for next season, Paulo Zanetti’s men have not dropped below 16th position this season and have not shown themselves to ever be in too much danger of relegation. They also have a relatively clean bill of health, as they will only be without the services of defender Koni De Winter for this fixture, but they will also be without Tommaso Baldanzi and also Gabriele Guarino, as both have been called up for international duty at the under-twenties World Cup.
Sampdoria’s forwards have not performed exceedingly well this season, but the evergreen Manolo Gabbiadini has been the club’s most often, if still very inconsistently, source of goals. His vast array of technical skills, especially his ability to score from outside the box, remains a risk. Empoli will look to the consistency of Răzvan Marin, the Romanian playmaker has been very reliable for Empoli and his passing range and composure will continue to be a nuisance to Sampdoria’s midfield.
Expert insight: Home advantage normally proves useful to a side, but Sampdoria have been unprecedentedly awful both away and at home this season. While Empoli have had a season of consolidation, they still have a few more effective weapons and a less demoralised squad and that could be the determining factor of victory.
Serie A