Newly-promoted Empoli could do little to avoid the loss to Udinese in the opening game, and they look set for another difficult match against title-chasers Roma. The Giallorossi will be feeling confident after recording a comfortable triumph over very good Fiorentina side, especially as a number of new signings are now in contention.

Are they good enough?

Together with Palermo, Empoli secured automatic promotion to Serie A, but it remains to be seen if they have enough quality to compete at this level. Operating on a very tight budget, the club could only make loan signings and recruit free agents, with the likes of Guarente, Vecino, Laxalt and Zielinski the more notable arrivals. But, while some of the new arrivals are well past their prime, the others lack the Serie A experience, so the Azzurri definitely look unprepared for what awaits them this season. Empoli did defeat minnows L’Aquila in Coppa Italia, but they were soundly beaten by Udinese in the first Serie A match, and chances are they will struggle to match AS Roma as well. And while Francesco Tavano continues to prove he can still score goals on regular basis, his attacking partner Massimo Maccarone looks set to miss out through injury, which is going to be a major blow seeing as how his replacement Levan Mchedlidlze looks like he couldn’t score in a brothel.

Hirakli Shekiladze is out through a knee problem, while Massimo Maccarone is unlikely to recover in time from a muscle injury.

Roma are serious title contenders

In spite of the tremendous start to the previous league campaign, Roma could not pip Juventus to the Serie A title, although they did brilliantly to push the Bianconeri all the way. And with their rivals arguably weaker now that Antonio Conte is gone, the Giallorossi are rightly considered one of the main candidates for the trophy. The club management have succeeded in signing a number of quality players but without disrupting the balance of the squad, and with Mehdi Benatia and Dodo the only notable footballers leaving, Roma definitely look more serious than last term. The likes of Cole, Iturbe, Astori, Manolas, Holebas, Keita, Yanga-Mbiwa and Emanuelson will definitely increase competition for places and help Rudi Garcia in his quest to be successful on all fronts. The opening victory over Fiorentina are enough to suggest Roma are already close to their top form while the fact the boss can now call on a number of quality replacements if things are not going according to plan is another huge asset. Having largely impressed in away games against bottom-table sides last season, Roma look a good bet to see off Empoli on Saturday evening.

Kevin Strootman and Federico Balzaretti remain long-term casualties, but Douglas Maicon and Leandro Castan are back in contention.

Verdict

Empoli have yet to prove they are good enough to compete at this level and with key attacker Massimo Maccarone missing, the Azzurri could find it hard to get anything from this game. Meanwhile, Roma go into this match at full strength and in great spirits after defeating Fiorentina, so away win appears on the horizon.

Top pick: Away win   1.62 (5/8) @ bet365

Alternative pick 1: Roma/Roma   2.45 (29/20) BetVictor

Alternative pick 2: Roma to win to nil   2.62 (13/8) @ SkyBet