Empoli with Chance to Move Away from Relegation Zone

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The final game of the weekend in Serie A takes place on Monday night as Empoli host Genoa at the Stadio Carlo Castellani.

This match presents a realistic opportunity for Empoli to pick up maximum points and move clear of the bottom three.  They begin the weekend in 17th place, 3 points clear of the relegation zone but could have dropped in depending on the results in other games.

Genoa are in 11th place in Serie A and a win could see them move up one place in the table.  However, defeat could potentially see them drop as low as 17th in the league.

Empoli will be pleased with their previous result as they picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Cagliari last weekend.  Having not played in the Coppa Italia, that was their first competitive game since the 1-0 home defeat at home to Inter Milan on the 29th December.

Trends show Empoli FC have won just one of their last seven Serie A games and that was back on the 9th December at home to Bologna, who are currently below them in the table.  Between 11th November and 12th December Empoli went four games unbeaten, winning three and will hope to string another run together by winning this match.

However, Empoli have lost their last two home games against Sampdoria and Inter Milan but have picked up some good wins against teams lower down the table including Udinese, Atalanta and Bologna.

Genoa suffered a 2-1 home defeat in their return to competitive action last weekend as they went down to Champions League chasing AC Milan.  That result means Genoa have failed to win any of their last three games and have won only one of their last fourteen Serie A matches, which is a very poor record.

Trends show Genoa have lost each of their last five away Serie A games and have won just one of their last fifteen on the road. Genoa have failed to score a single goal across their last three Serie A matches and their attacking play will not be helped by the departure of striker and top scorer Krzysztof Piatek, who left the club for AC Milan.

Team news and Empoli are without Lorenzo Polvani who has a serious knee injury and will not play any further part this season.  Antonino La Gumina has been struggling for fitness and will be assessed leading up to the game.

Genoa have lost their star striker and have an injury list which includes Sandro, Oscar Hiljemark, Gianluca Lapadula and Luca Mazzitelli.

Empoli will see this as the ideal opportunity to pick up an important 3 points.  Genoa have a tough second half of the season ahead of the them and they could leave Tuscany without anything to show for their efforts.