Empoli vs Milan preview

September 22, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

AC Milan v Juventus Having finally picked up the first point of the new campaign, newly-promoted Empoli are searching for their first win against AC Milan.

The Rossoneri could not match champions Juventus at San Siro, losing the game 1-0, and are now out to make amends by winning at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

Empoli management gave their best to reinforce the squad over the summer while operating on a tight budget, and they did sign some quality players, mostly on loan deals.

The difficult fixture list saw them lose to Udinese and AS Roma in their first two matches, and another defeat looked on the cards as they were two goals down at half-time of the Cesena clash.

Nevertheless, the Azzurri staged a stunning comeback in the second period and eventually scored two goals to make it 2-2.

Empoli are now set to face another top side at home after losing to Roma, and they are 4.75 (19/4) to defeat their more illustrious opponents.

Coach Maurizio Sarri has a number of injury worries seeing as how Levan Mchedlidze, Hirakli Shekiladze and Lorenzo Tonelli are sidelined and Vincent Laurini is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Sepe – Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Rui – Croce, Valdifiori, Vecino – Verdi, Zielinski – Tavano.

Buoyed by the heavy summer recruitment, AC Milan started the season much better than anyone expected, with new boss Filippo Inzaghi quickly creating a homogeneous unit.

The Rossoneri defeated Lazio at home before winning a real firecracker of a match at Ennio Tardini, scoring no less than eight goals in the process.

As a result, many expected them to frustrate champions Juventus as well, but Milan had to settle for a narrow defeat after they were completely outclassed by the Bianconeri.

The away game against newcomers Empoli will feel as a perfect opportunity to return to the right track, and the Rossoneri are 1.87 (20/23) to claim maximum points.

Summer signing Fernando Torres is widely expected to start up front and he can be backed at 2.60 (8/5) to score on his full debut.

Jeremy Menez and Michael Essien could miss out through injury, while Diego Lopez, Alex, Riccardo Saponara and Riccardo Montolivo are definitely out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Abbiati – Abate, Bonera, Zapata, De Sciglio – Poli, de Jong, van Ginkel – Honda, Torres, Bonaventura.

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