Ascoli host Empoli on October 17 in the seventh round of Serie B, with the sides arriving in contrasting form. Ascoli are fifth after losing just once in their first six league matches, while 15th-placed Empoli have suffered three consecutive defeats. A 0-0 draw with Südtirol was Ascoli’s latest result; Empoli, meanwhile, lost 4-2 at home to Palermo. The visitors need a response, but a trip to the Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca presents a demanding test: Ascoli are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches.

Ascoli’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Ascoli have made a steady start to their Serie B campaign, recording three wins, two draws and one defeat. Across their last five matches, they have won twice, drawn twice and lost once, scoring an average of 1.0 goal per game and conceding just 0.6. Their season-long averages are 1.2 goals scored and 0.7 conceded per league match. Those figures underline why their defensive record has been an important part of their strong opening to the season.

The goalless draw against Südtirol on October 10 kept Ascoli’s points total moving, even if it ended without a goal. At home, the longer-term numbers are particularly encouraging for the hosts: they have not lost in 17 matches and have scored at least once in each of their last 15. Those runs give Ascoli a clear source of confidence ahead of another home fixture, although their recent scoring average suggests there is still value in keeping the match tight.

Second-half goals have also been a recurring feature of Ascoli’s games. There has been at least one goal after the interval in each of their last 12 home matches and in 24 of their last 26 matches overall. These figures refer to total match goals, rather than goals scored by Ascoli alone. Defender Alagna is the only Ascoli absentee identified ahead of the Empoli match.

Empoli’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Empoli come into this fixture after losing 4-2 to Palermo on October 10, a result that extended their losing run to three matches. Andreoletti’s first game in charge did not bring the improvement Empoli had hoped for. Their league record stands at two wins and four defeats, with an average of 1.0 goal scored and 1.7 conceded per game.

The visitors’ last five results offer an even sharper picture of their current difficulties: one win, no draws and four defeats. They have averaged 1.0 goal scored and 2.0 conceded over that stretch. The Palermo game showed that Empoli can contribute goals, but conceding four at home added to the defensive concerns they must address before visiting a side with Ascoli’s home record.

Empoli also have several personnel issues. Shpendi, Egan, Belardinelli and Monaco remain unavailable, while Magnino and Ceesay are serious doubts for the match. In their away league games, Empoli have been level at half-time in seven of the last eight. Their matches have frequently changed after the break: at least one second-half goal has been scored in each of their last 21 away matches, including their last 20 away fixtures in Serie B. As with Ascoli’s second-half figures, this is a statistic for the matches as a whole, not a record of goals scored by Empoli.

Ascoli vs Empoli Match Analysis

The strongest contrast in this Ascoli vs Empoli preview is between the hosts’ long unbeaten home run and the visitors’ three-match losing streak. Ascoli have conceded an average of just 0.7 goals per league game, while Empoli have allowed 2.0 per game across their last five outings. If Ascoli maintain that defensive standard, Empoli will need to improve on their recent performances to take something from the trip.

The head-to-head summary is more balanced than the teams’ current form: across the five listed meetings, Ascoli have two wins, one draw and two defeats, averaging 1.2 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. Their most recent meeting finished 2-0 on May 1, 2021. That history offers context, but the more immediate indicators are Ascoli’s 17-match unbeaten home sequence and Empoli’s run of four defeats in five games.

There may still be a patient opening to the contest. Empoli’s seven half-time draws in their last eight away Serie B matches sit alongside second-half goal trends for both teams. Those patterns do not determine when a goal will arrive here, but they suggest the match could remain competitive before the interval. Over the full game, Ascoli’s home consistency and Empoli’s recent defensive record give the hosts the stronger case for a result.

Ascoli vs Empoli prediction from BetMines: Ascoli win (1) with 52% probability.