At the Stadio Castellani, the match for the 24th round of Serie A takes place between Empoli, led by Roberto D'Aversa, and Milan, coached by Sergio Conceicao. Both teams are going through a crucial phase of the season and are in desperate need of three points to pursue their respective goals: survival for Empoli and Champions League qualification for Milan. The Empoli seen since last December is a shadow of the team that impressed everyone at the start of the season with fast and proactive play, securing key results such as a victory against Roma and a draw against Juventus. However, D'Aversa’s squad has lost enthusiasm and confidence, dropping to 16th place with just a one-point lead over the relegation zone. Additionally, the club failed to bring in the much-needed reinforcements during the January transfer window, with Kouame being the only notable arrival, hoping to redeem himself after disappointing seasons at Fiorentina. Milan, on the other hand, cannot complain about their winter signings. Walker, Gimenez, and Joao Felix have all joined the squad, significantly strengthening the team. The Rossoneri seem to have turned a corner after their Champions League defeat in Zagreb, as shown by their 1-1 draw in the Milan derby and their 3-1 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. Milan knows they cannot afford any more missteps if they want to climb from eighth place and secure at least a top-four finish.

Empoli's shape and key statistics

Empoli suffered their tenth league defeat in their last Serie A match, losing 4-1 away to Juventus. In their last eight league matches, they have won just once, drawn twice, and lost five times. Their last Serie A victory dates back to December 8, when they defeated Hellas Verona 4-1. At Stadio Castellani, Empoli’s recent form has been particularly concerning, with three defeats and two draws in their last five home matches. This is far from ideal for a team fighting to avoid relegation.

A major concern for coach D'Aversa is the team’s lack of firepower, as Empoli has averaged only 0.95 goals per match. Outside of Sebastiano Esposito (8 goals) and Colombo (5 goals), the rest of the squad has struggled offensively. This is precisely why D'Aversa requested reinforcements in attack, and while the arrival of Kouame may help, it remains to be seen if he can make a significant impact.

Milan's shape and key statistics

Despite sitting in eighth place, Milan still has everything to play for in the race for European qualification. The Rossoneri have secured two prestigious results in recent matches, drawing the derby against Inter and defeating Roma 3-1 in the Coppa Italia. The match against Roma also marked the debut of two major January signings: Gimenez and Joao Felix. The Portuguese forward had a spectacular debut, scoring the third goal with a sublime chip over Svilar.

Milan’s recent form has been solid, with three wins, one draw, and one defeat in their last five matches. The lone loss came in Zagreb, which means the Rossoneri must now face Feyenoord in the Champions League playoffs next Wednesday. Conceicao must ensure that his squad remains focused on Empoli rather than looking ahead to the crucial European fixture.

Empoli vs Milan Prediction and Tactical Overview

Milan has emerged significantly stronger from the January transfer window, especially in their attacking department. With the arrivals of high-caliber players, Conceicao now has the tools to implement his tactical vision more effectively. Meanwhile, Empoli is enduring perhaps their most difficult period of the season, as evidenced by their 4-1 defeat to Juventus just a week ago.

The Rossoneri are clear favorites and will likely look to dominate from the start, aiming to score multiple goals early and possibly rest some key players ahead of their Champions League clash against Feyenoord. A result similar to the first-leg encounter, where Milan won 3-0, seems highly possible given Empoli’s current struggles. According to the BetMines algorithm, the predicted outcome strongly favors a Milan victory.

• The BetMines forecast  prediction for the Empoli - Milan match predicts the 1 sign at 24%
• The BetMines forecast  prediction for the Empoli - Milan match predicts the X sign at 26%
• The BetMines forecast  prediction for the Empoli - Milan match predicts the 2 sign at 50%

Empoli - Milan Predicted Lineups

Empoli (3-4-2-1): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Marianucci, De Sciglio; Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Esposito, Cacace; Colombo. Coach: D'Aversa

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Musah, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez. Coach: Conceicao