Empoli will attempt to make amends for back to back Serie A defeats when they host Europa League hopefuls Sampdoria in their final home fixture of the season.

Following the home loss to Lazio, the Blucerchiati need to try and win at Stadio Carlo Castellani if they are to keep their European hopes alive.

Many people predicted Empoli a straight return to Serie B after the club opted against adding too many players with Serie A experience to their ranks, but it soon became clear that coach Maurizio Sarri knew exactly what he was doing.

By keeping hold of most players that helped the Azzurri secure promotion to the top flight the talented coach was able to help his side reach top form early into the season and that made all the difference.

Having quickly escaped the danger zone, Empoli were never really in danger of getting relegated, with everybody in the elite division impressed with their performances this season.

Following back to back wins over Napoli and Torino, the Azzurri suffered narrow defeats to Fiorentina and Verona, and they will want to return to winning ways against Sampdoria.

Even if it is their opponents who will have the bigger motivation, Empoli have been made 2.50 (3/2) favourites to claim maximum points.

Mario Rui and Lorenzo Tonelli should be recalled, but Tiberio Guarente and Simone Verdi miss out through injury and suspension respectively.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Bassi – Hysaj, Tonelli, Barba, Rui – Signorelli, Valdifiori, Croce – Saponara – Tavano, Maccarone.

Sampdoria have been quite impressive for large periods of the current campaign, but the latest poor run of form threatens to ruin everything they achieved so far.

The Blucerchiati have now won just one of last eight league fixtures, slipping to seventh in the league standings, meaning they now face an uphill task in trying to secure Europa League qualification.

Sampdoria currently sit two points behind local rivals Genoa, who occupy the final European berth, so it is perfectly clear a win over Empoli is a must.

And having won three of their last six matches on the road, the Blucerchiati can be backed at 3.05 (41/20) to win at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

There are no fresh selection worries for coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but the likes of Eder and Djamel Mesbah continue to miss out.

Sampdoria will host bottom-placed Parma on the final day of the season, meaning they will be in a good position to achieve a top 6 finish if they win at Empoli.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Viviano – De Silvestri, Silvestre, Romagnoli, Regini – Acquah, Palombo, Obiang – Soriano – Eto’o, Muriel.