Round 20 of the Serie A season sees Empoli welcome Udinese to the Stadio Carlo Castellani in a tough to call relegation clash.
Empoli are in desperate need for three points as they look to battle the drop and Udinese need them just as bad to stave off being dragged into a battle they don’t want to be in.
The Bianconeri currently sit 12th in a seemingly solid position in the league but a loss would make the gap between them and Empoli cut from five points to two with the Tuscany based club currently on 19 points in 16th place.
Empoli took Roma to extra time in the Coppa Italia on Tuesday night, whilst Udinese took on Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo on Thursday and did the same.
The last time the two teams met each other Antonio Di Natale netted twice in a 2-0 victory. Both goals came within a five minute spell mid way through the first half.
Di Natale, despite being close to retirement has been in fantastic form this season and was rested for the cup game mid-week so should be ready to fire for Andrea Stramaccioni’s side.
Neither side have won any of their previous five matches both amassing three draws and two losses in the process.
Empoli’s line is lead by former Middlesbrough front man Massimo Maccarone but he has only managed to score twice so far this term.
It is another Serie A clash where it could be decided by the form of two veteran from men in what could be a defining contest for both sides.
Form Guide: Empoli (D-D-D-D-L-D) Udinese (W-L-D-L-D-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Empoli: Bassi, Hysaj, Barba, Rui, Bianchetti, Saponara, Maccarone, Signorelli, Vecino, Tavano, Laxalt
Udinese: Karnezis, Danilo, Widmer, Heaurtaux, Piris, Kone, Allan, Guilherme, Silva, Thereau, Di Natale
