Atalanta take on Empoli at the Stadio Castellani in Serie A on Sunday afternoon with both teams looking to kickstart stuttering campaigns.
It will be the eleventh clash between Empoli and Atalanta, the Nerazzurri leading four wins to two, as Empoli was promoted from Serie B last season. In eight of the ten games played between these two teams, at least one side has always failed to score a goal.
After a furious reaction to Atalanta’s loss last week against Roma, despite an encouraging performance, La Dea tactician Stefano Colantuono will be hoping his side bounce back immediately.
However, this will be more difficult without Richmond Boakye, after the young forward was handed a two-game suspension following his sending off against Roma. Boakye is Atalanta’s top scorer on two goals this season.
Scoring a measly five goals in 12 weeks has left the club sitting perilously close to the relegation zone. Further stacking the odds against Atalanta is the fact they have scored only once at the Stadio Castellani in Serie A.
Empoli, on the other hand, are aiming for three wins in a row after defeating Parma last week, and Lazio before the international break. However, they continue to sit perilously close to the bottom three, due to their four-match winless streak before their win against the Biancocelesti.
Coach Maurizio Sarri may have fitness doubts over defenders Vincent Laurini and Mario Rui, who both underwent individual training at the beginning of the week instead of joining in with the group.
Expected Starting XIs
Empoli: Sepe; Hysaj, Tonelli, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Verdi; Pucciarelli, Maccarone
Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, Stendardo, Cherubin, Drame; Raimondi, Carmona, Cigarini, Gomez; Moralez; Denis
