Chievo at the Stadio Castellani on Sunday evening, without the guidance of former coach Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri brought top flight football back to the Tuscan club as he led them to a second placed finish in Serie B in the 2013-14 season and then maintained their Serie A status last season.
But since then the 56-year-old coach has taken the hot seat at Napoli and Empoli have replaced him with Marco Giampaolo.
The two clubs have a similar head to head record with 15 games being played, but Chievo slightly edge it by winning five games whilst the most popular outcome is a draw, occurring six times.
Last season though, the Flying Donkeys did not manage to claim three points against Empoli, drawing 1-1 at the Stadio Bentegodi and losing 3-0 at the Castellani.
In the 3-0 thrashing of Chievo back in February, it was the Massimo Maccarone show as the veteran striker grabbed a brace with young defender Daniele Rugani netting the other goal.
Meanwhile, both clubs have a disappointing week following their shock exits from the Coppa Italia last weekend.
Firstly, the Azzurri were left shell-shocked as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Serie B outfit Vicenza, but arguably a worse result followed for Chievo as they were defeated 1-0 at home by Salernitana, recently promoted to Serie B.
Giampaolo will be without two of his players as Lorenzo Tonelli is suspended and Vincent Laurini has picked up an injury.
As for Chievo, Dario Dainelli and Simone Pepe are both suspended and Riccardo Meggiorini is doubtful for the match.
Expected Starting XI’s
Empoli – Skorupski; Bittante, Camporese, Barba, Mario Rui; Zielinski, Diousse, Croce; Saponara; Maccarone, Pucciarelli
Chievo – Bizzarri; Gobbi, Gamberini, Cesar, Frey; Hetemaj, Radovanovic, Birsa, Castro; Paloschi, Pellissier
