Cagliari vs Empoli Prediction 20.09.2024 | Serie A

• Competition: Italy - Serie A
• Date: Friday, 20th, September 2024
• Kickoff: 17:30 UK / 18.30 CEST
• Venue: Unipol Domus (Cagliari)

Looking to stay among the unbeaten teams, Empoli will head to the Unipol Domus to take on a struggling Cagliari in Serie A's fifth round on Friday.

After orchestrating a brilliant return to Italy's top flight in 2022-23 and then helping them avoid relegation from Serie A last season, Claudio Ranieri has voluntarily chosen to step down as Cagliari’s head coach. Davide Nicola, renowned as a survival specialist in Serie A, was appointed in his place, but his start to life in Sardinia hasn’t gone as planned, as he has overseen his side fail to win any of their first four top-flight matches. A poor start to the season has left Gli Isolani languishing in second-to-last place.

For their part, Empoli have not had the easiest time since their promotion back to Serie A four years ago, as after back-to-back 14th place finishes, they barely survived last season, ending just one place and one point above the first relegated team. Although they were tipped as relegation candidates before the season began, the Azzurri from Empoli are defying all expectations in the early weeks, as they can proudly claim to be one of only five teams that remain unbeaten so far. Their haul of six points has placed them comfortably in eighth position on the table.

Cagliari vs Empoli Betting Tips: DRAW

In a clash between two relatively evenly matched teams, we expect a closely contested battle where a share of the spoils is a very likely outcome, which would see Cagliari's winless drought extend while Empoli preserve their unbeaten start. The lack of sharpness in the final third is causing major concern for the Sardinian club at the moment, as they have struck only once in over 360 minutes and have taken just five shots on target in their last two games. 

Cagliari can find comfort in the knowledge that their both points to date have been earned at their own Unipol Domus, and their ability to hold AS Roma to a scoreless draw will give them added motivation to seek points here. Visitors Empoli have proven to be a tough nut to crack in the early weeks, as evidenced by their latest league match where they managed to hold Juventus to a goalless draw, marking their third time settling for a share of the spoils in the first four rounds. Moreover, it should be remembered that the teams have ended level in three out of their last five encounters in Sardinia, so this adds to the reasoning that a draw appears to be the most likely result in this match.