Inter Milan vs Empoli Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News| Serie A, January 19, 2025

Inter Milan vs Empoli Preview

• Tournament: Serie A
• Date: Sunday, January 19
• Kick-off Time: 7:45 pm GMT
• Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy

Inter Milan and Empoli will be clashing against each other as a part of matchday 21 of the 2024/25 Serie A season. The host currently sits in second place, only three points behind Napoli with the privilege of having a game in hand as well. Empoli, on the other hand, is in the lower half of the table, in 14th with 20 points from the 20 games played so far. Italian referee, Ermanno Feliciani will take up the role of the referee for the match. The Inter Milan vs Empoli fixture promises to be a comfortable evening for the defending champions.

Inter Milan has encountered difficulties and inconsistencies in its recent matches. The Nerazzurri have collected four victories along with a draw and a defeat in the last six matches. Simone Inzaghi’s men crumbled to a humiliating 3-2 defeat at the hands of city rivals, AC Milan in the Supercup final, after having taken a 2-0 lead. Inter will now face the tough task of not succumbing to further failures after that epic crumble. Bologna held the champions to a frustrating 2-2 draw at the Meazza last weekend with several experts starting to doubt the players’ mental toughness. Inter Milan has been awarded the most penalties this season (six) and Federico Dimarco is ranked first in big chances created in Serie A (12).

Empoli will not be satisfied in any way with how the latest games have played out. In the last six matches, Empoli has managed just a solitary victory to go with four defeats and a draw. During this period, the club has scored nine goals and conceded 11. Defensive stability has been a fundamental reason for Empoli’s atrocious run of form with no clean sheet in the last 20 matches. Former Inter prodigy, Sebastiano Esposito is the top scorer for the club this campaign with seven goals to his name.

Inter Milan Team News

The most significant miss for Inter, which has also coincided with the recent imperfect outcomes, is that of holding midfielder, Hakan Calhanoglu. The Turk is scheduled to return in early February. Joaquin Correa, Raffaele Di Gennaro, and Yann Bisseck will also remain unavailable against Empoli.

Empoli Team News

Tino Anjorin, Nicolas Haas, Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri, Saba Sazonov, and Tyronne Ebuehi will not travel with the rest of the squad to Milan owing to respective injury woes.

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Inter Milan vs Empoli Predicted Lineups

Inter Milan Predicted Lineup (3-5-2)

Goalkeeper: Sommer

Defenders: Darmian, de Vrij, Bastoni

Midfielders: Dumfries, Barella, Asllani, Zielinski, Dimarco

Forwards: Thuram, Martinez

Empoli Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Seghetti

Defenders: Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti

Midfielders: Gyasi, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella

Forwards: Esposito, Cacace, Colombo

Inter Milan vs Empoli H2H Record

Unsurprisingly, Inter Milan has an upper hand over Sunday’s visitors in recent head-to-head meetings. In the last five games between the two teams, Inter has managed to emerge triumphant on all but one occasion.

Key Players to Watch in Inter Milan vs Empoli

Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)

When many expected Lautaro Martinez to continue his rich goalscoring form of last season, it is Marcus Thuram who has emerged as the main man in attack for the champions this season. The Frenchman is behind only Mateo Retegui when it comes to the race for the Serie A Golden Boot with 12 goals to his name. Thuram has formed a formidable partnership with Lautaro Martinez and the two have developed a mutually beneficial relationship. The 27-year-old has recorded just 0.5 xG in his last five league matches.

Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)

Federico Dimarco has established himself as one of the best wingbacks in the world under Simone Inzaghi. His defensive shortcomings have been neutralised by the three-at-the-back system used by the former Lazio coach. There are hardly any doubts when it comes to his offensive output. The Italian has three goals and four assists to his name in the league. Federico Dimarco has 89 carries and eight progressive carries in his last five outings.

Inter Milan vs Empoli Prediction

Inter will be hungry to bounce back after a rough patch of results. A goal-fest is on the cards at the San Siro on Sunday evening.

Predicted Score: Inter Milan 4-0 Empoli

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Where to Watch Inter Milan vs Empoli Live?

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