Lowly teams Empoli FC (2-9-5, 11 points) and Cagliari Calcio (6-8-2, 20 points) will both try to get out of their respective winless ruts as they face each other in a 2016-2017 Serie A season match at the Carlo Castellani Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 17.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 9:00 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Empoli has been winless five of its last six matches, which includes a three-game losing slide. The team is currently settled in the 17th spot of the 20-team Italian top flight table, only two points above the bottom three relegation zone.
In their most recent fixture, the Blues were held by fellow reeling club Bologna to a 0-0 draw on the road at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium last Sunday, as per ESPN.
The two teams had a difficult time finding chances to score throughout the whole match not only because of each one's stingy defense but due to their current issues on the offensive end.
Empoli goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski was impressive during the match as he blocked two shots by Bologna near full-time to salvage the draw and a share of a point in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted side Cagliari was crushed by contending squad Napoli, 0-5, at their own home field of Sant'Elia Stadium also last Sunday, Daily Mail Online reported.
Belgian forward Dries Mertens netted a hat trick in the 34th, 69th, and 72nd minutes to lead the visitors. Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik and Polish midfielder Piotr Zielinski scored one goal each, in the 45th and 51st minute respectively, to complete I Ciucciarelli's five-goal haul.
Head coach Massimo Rastelli's side, who were last season's Serie B champions, were not able to respond with any goals in the entire contest as they succumbed to their fourth winless game in the last five rounds.
Cagliari is now 14th in the overall standings, 11 points above the bottom three relegation zone and 11 points below the Europa League qualifying berths as well, presently held by Napoli and Lazio.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 win for Empoli.
Empoli starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Skorupski; Pasqual, Costa, Laurini, Bellusci; Saponara, Croce, Krunic; Diousse; Maccarone, Mchedlidze
Cagliari starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Storari; Pisacane, Alves, Isla, Ceppitelli; Moras, Padoin, Dessena; Tachtsidis; Borriello, Sau