Empoli vs Sassuolo Calcio: The Black and Greens will avenge their first-round defeat to the Blues

The 21st round of the Italian championship starts with two early games. The Empoli local team, led by Aurelio Andreazzoli, will play host to Sassuolo. Who will come out stronger in a game? Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

The previous match between Lazio and Empoli in Rome was not a match between a grandee and an outsider. No, it was a meeting between direct rivals in the European competition. Empoli didn't just hold on, and they were close to an away win, leading 2:0 and 3:2, but conceded a goal in injury time from Milinkovic-Savic (3:3). Empoli is on course for the league title, currently ninth in the standings and just four points behind the Eurocup zone, the top six.

This season, with new coach Alessio Dionisi, Sassuolo have not been successful for a long time. However, by the end of the first half of the season, the team had improved. Despite mainly playing draws, the Neroverdi scored consistently and reached 13th place in the standings. It's still low, considering Sassuolo's ambitions, but only seven points separate the team from the same Eurocup zone.

Last Thursday, Sassuolo failed to beat Andriy Shevchenko's Genoa. Domenico Berardi reacted to Mattia Destro's goal on 7 minutes at the beginning of the second half. That was the end of the game: 1:1.

Sassuolo has improved markedly in the course of the league season and, on the eve of the match in Empoli, have had several spectacular and high-quality encounters. For example, the Neroverdi have beat both Juventus and AC Milan on the road. It seems that Empoli will also have a tough time. Furthermore, Sassuolo will probably have a grudge against the Blues for their home defeat in the first round.

Prediction: Sassuolo will be looking to score points in a productive matchup at Empoli.

• X2 And Total Over 1.5 for 1.78
• X2 and Both Teams Will Score for 2.05
• Draw for 3.80