Spezia Calcio vs Empoli FC – 14/08/2022
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Following on from two contrasting results in the Coppa Italia, Spezia and Empoli will kick off their Serie A season with hopes of securing all three points and avoiding an early battle down at the bottom once again.
It was an acceptable season in many regards for the two clubs last time out. Both ended up surviving quite comfortably in Serie A, as Spezia finished six points above the drop zone, while Empoli remained in the league for this season by finishing 11 points above the bottom three.
? PRIMAVERA
?Campionato al via il 10 settembre
⚽️ Esordio in casa della Ternana➡️ https://t.co/OPExOouSmZ pic.twitter.com/zCqXMAQhr3
— Spezia Calcio Youth (@SpeziaYouth) August 11, 2022
On the other hand, they both registered two of the worst defensive records in Serie A in 2021/22.
Spezia won just 10 games from the 38 available, but this was more than enough to keep them up. On the other hand, with just 41 goals scored, they let in 71 goals across the league season, and only Salernitana just below them managed to let in more.
Empoli, however, had an almighty downfall in 2022. They were sitting quite comfortably in the top eight and even ahead of Juventus at points in the season, but following on from registering 17 defeats across the campaign and 11 draws, the club eventually dropped down into 14th with 41 points.
Their defensive record was equally as poor, with the club letting in 70 goals from 38 Serie A games.
Luca Gotti’s side have had a positive last month, however. They may have lost to VfL Bochum in their first preseason game, but by beating Jablonec 3-0 and Padova 5-1, they secured two wins from four games after also drawing with Angers.
Back in the Coppa Italia to kick off the Italian season, however, Spezia flew out the blocks with a fantastic 5-1 win over Como.
M’Bala Nzola scored the opening goal and netted a penalty in the second half. Daniele Verde also bagged from the spot, while David Strelec and Daniel Maldini got a goal each in the second half too. In total, Spezia had nine shots on target from 15 efforts.
Empoli had a very contrasting Coppa Italia opener. Nicolo Cambiaghi scored in the 80th minute for what looked like the game’s only goal and the winner. SPAL soon equalised, before Matteo Arena painfully scored in the dying seconds of extra time.
Forebet predicts a draw here and for the game to see under 2.5 goals with their seemingly nothing separating them heading into the new season.
