Juventus vs Empoli prediction, preview, team news and more | Serie A 2021-22
Juventus welcome Empoli to the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday as they face each other in matchday two of the 2021-22 Serie A season.
The Bianconeri must move on and focus on a future without Cristiano Ronald while trying to climb from 10th in the league table. Meanwhile, newly-promoted Empoli are in 17th place.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed Ronaldo's intention to leave the Italian giants this summer, with a move to Manchester City looking increasingly likely.
Ronaldo's late goal heroics were on display in Juventus' first game against Udinese, but VAR played spoilsport.
Juve took a 2-0 lead into the break thanks to Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado, only for Udinese to hit back with Roberto Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu's 83rd minute equalizer. Ronaldo's headed 'goal' in injury time sparked scenes of wild celebration, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
Empoli received a rude awakening in their return to Serie A with a 1-3 loss to Lazio at home in their season opener.
The Tuscan side took the lead through Filippo Bandinelli's goal in the fourth minute, only for Maurizio Sarri's side to hit back. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Manuel Lazzari and Ciro Immobile all scored to make it 1-3 going into the break. Empoli tried their hardest, hitting the woodwork twice, but could not manage a comeback.
Juventus vs Empoli Head-To-Head
Juventus have faced Empoli eight times since 2010 and have won all of those games. Empoli's last trip to Turin came during the 2018-19 season, with the Bianconeri winning 1-0 in March.
Juventus FC Form Guide (all competitions): D-W-L-W-W
Empoli FC Form Guide (all competitions): L-W-L-W-W
Juventus vs Empoli Team News
Juventus FC
Max Allegri has confirmed rumors of Cristiano Ronaldo's likely exit from the club and he is not expected to play any further minutes for Juve. The Portuguese star's departure will certainly disrupt the coach's plans. He also has a midfield injury crisis to deal with.
Adrien Rabiot, Arthur and Aaron Ramsey are all out injured. New signing Kaio Jorge is also unavailable.
Weston McKinnie returns from suspension, but Manuel Locatelli is likely to be preferred.
Injured: Adrien Rabiot, Arthur, Aaron Ramsey, Kaio Jorge
Doubtful: Cristiano Ronaldo
Suspended: None
Empoli FC
Aurelio Andreazzoli only has Fabiano Parisi occupying the treatment room at the moment. The club have signed Andrea Pinamonti on loan from Inter Milan, to join Patrick Cutrone up front.
Injured: Fabiano Parisi
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Juventus vs Empoli Predicted XI
Juventus FC Predicted XI (4-4-2): Wojceich Szczesny (GK); Danilo, Matthijs de Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Juan Cuadrado; Rodrigo Bentancur, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Bernadeschi; Alvaro Morata, Paulo Dybala.
Empoli FC Predicted XI (4-3-2-1): Guglielmo Vicario (GK); Petar Stojanovic, Ardian Ismajili, Simone Romagnoli, Riccardo Marchizza; Samuele Ricci, Liam Henderson, Filippo Bandinelli; Nedim Bajrami, Andrea Pinamonti; Patrick Cutrone.
Juventus vs Empoli Marseille Prediction
Juventus are clear favorites for this game despite confirmation that Ronaldo will soon leave the club. Max Allegri is still discovering his starting XI, but in Paulo Dybala, he has a player reborn.
We expect a comfortable victory for the Old Lady, with Empoli likely to score to keep it interesting.
Prediction: Juventus 3-1 Empoli
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